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LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS 

EDITED BY 

GEORGE RICE CARPENTER, A.B. 

PROFESSOR OF RHETORIC AND ENGLISH COMPOSITION IN COLUMBIA 
UNIVERSITY 



EDMUND SPENSER 



SELECTIONS FROM THE FAERIE QUEENE 



iongmang' Cngligl) Claggicg 

SELECTIONS FROM 
SPENSER'S 

THE FAERIE QUEENE 

EDITED 

WITH NOTES AND AN INTRODUCTION 



JOHN ERSKINE, Ph.D. 

INSTRUCTOR IN ENGLISH IN AMHERST COLLEGE 




NEW YORK 
LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 

LONDON AND BOMBAY 
1905 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 


Two Copies Received 


JAN 


10 1906 


CopyrieM Entry 
CLASS cl XXc, No. 

/ 3 2 9 X 3 

COPY B. 



V 



Copyright, 1905 

BY 

LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 



AU rights reserved 



The Plimpton Press Norwood Mass. U.S. A 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Introduction 

I. Edmund Spenser vii 

II. The Faerie. Queene xii 

III. Helps to Teachers xx 

Chronological Table xxiii 

Selections from the Faerie Queene 1 

Notes 151 

Spenser's Explanatory Letter to Raleigh (1589)' . 169 

Glossary 175 



INTRODUCTION 



I. Edmund Spenser 



Edmund Spenser, greatest of the Elizabethan poets 
except Shakspere, was the earliest of that astonishing 
number of men of genius who made Queen Elizabeth's 
reign famous in literature. During his lifetime Eng- 
land came to a knowledge of her power on the sea, and 
her opportunities in the new world. In literature, also, 
a spirit of national pride and enterprise, as well as 
awakened curiosity, led Englishmen to master the 
native literature of France and Italy, which in turn 
had been stimulated by Italy's new knowledge of the 
classics, and to pour these intellectual conquests into 
English literature through translations and imitations. 
The effect was to excite men's imaginations, and to 
give to books a vitality for the average man such as 
they have never had before or since. This awakening 
of interest in human life, and in books as the store- 
houses of that life, extended throughout Europe, and 
is known as the Renaissance. 

The period of the Renaissance was a transition, 
during which mediaeval thought became modern. In 
English literature almost all the steps in this change 
are to be found within the limits of Queen Elizabeth's 
reign. For this reason, some poets whose lives prac- 
tically coincided in point of time, differed widely in the 
character of their writings, according as their genius 
was in sympathy with the old, vanishing world of 
thought, or with the newer outlook. We think of 



viii INTRODUCTION 

Shakspere and Bacon as the leaders of this moderili 
Elizabethan thought; the chief representative of th4', 
mediaeval strain is Spenser. In one sense he was in 
deed thoroughly a man of his time : no Englishman ii 
those fortunate days had brighter hopes of his coun 
try's destiny, or was prouder of its accomplishment* 
and of its great men; and certainly no Englishman evei! 
paid his sovereign such a tribute as Spenser did in th( 
' Faerie Queene.' But he had a genius for the past! 
He loved old books, old legends, and, most of all, the, 
old standards of chivalry, in comparison with whict 
the knighthood of his own time could not but seem 
degenerate. Just as Sir Walter Scott filled his mind! 
with the past of Scotland, and made it live again in his,] 
romances, so Spenser recovered in himself the much 
larger past of European culture, and preserved it for us 
in the ' Faerie Queene.' This is his significance, andi 
we should begin any study of him with this in mind.; 
Spenser was born in London, probably in 1552. His 
father was a cloth-maker; of his mother we know only 
that her name was Elizabeth. As a boy Spenser was 
sent to the merchant tailors' school, which had recently' 
been founded by his father's guild. Here he received 
a scholarship from a bequest made by Robert Nowell, 
a distant connection of the Spenser family. The boy 
was a good student from the first, and he was always 
fortunate in his teachers. Under the care of the head- 
master, Richard Mulcaster, a remarkable educator, he 
progressed rapidly in that wide reading and scholarly 
accomplishment which places him with Milton and 
Gray, as the most learned of English poets. Before 
he left the school he made some translations from 
French and Italian poetry, and the verses were pub- 
lished in London. 



INTRODUCTION ix 

f In May, 1569, he entered Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, 
Jie first of that university's long line of poets, destined 
jb include Milton, Dryden, Gray, Byron, Wordsworth, 
nd Tennyson. Though he was still poor and contin- 
ied to benefit by the Nowell legacy, he made his way, 
is h$ had done in school, by his ability as a student 
,nd his evident poetic genius, and by the charm of his 
haracter. He always attracted noble men and kept 
iheir friendship. Of his college friends two are re- 
nembered with him — Gabriel Harvey, a Fellow, and 
Edward Kirke, a younger student. 

Spenser stayed at the university seven years, gradu- 
ating M.A. in 1576. He was in poor health at the 
time, and spent the following year with some relatives 
in Lancashire. This visit is remembered for his falling 
in love with Rosalind, the mysterious lady whom he 
[celebrated later in the 'Shepherd's Calendar' and in 
others of his poems, connecting his name with hers 
much as Sidney connected his with Stella's. At the 
lend of the year, disappointed in love, he went to Lon- 
don to seek his fortune. Gabriel Harvey gave him a 
letter to the Earl of Leicester, which proved a success- 
ful introduction, and Spenser at once began his career 
as secretary to Elizabeth's favorite. 

Under Leicester's roof Spenser soon made the ac- 
quaintance of the brilliant young men of the court, 
especially of Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Edward Dyer, 
whose friendship for each other and for Fulke Greville 
is famous. They recognized his genius, and he became 
their comrade in literary interests. He also corre- 
sponded with Harvey, who had a theory of improving 
English poetry by discarding accent and rhyme, and 
establishing rules of quantity, such as govern Latin or 
Greek prosody. The young poets experimented with 



1 H' 



x INTRODUCTION 

this pedantic theory, and Spenser showed his true i 
stmct as an English poet by being one of the first i ! 
give it up. At this time he began his great poem, tl I 
Faerie Queene,' and in 1579 he published his fin fe 
book, the ' Shepherd's Calendar.' 

This is a series of twelve poems, one for each montl t 
in which country people discuss simple themes, sue si 
as belong to the shepherd's life. Such poems are call© i 
pastorals, and Spenser had taken for his models th % 
pastorals of Theocritus and Virgil, and of their Italiai I 
and French imitators. He follows Virgil and thes. t 
later writers also in making his pastorals not so mucl 
pictures of real life, as allegories; his shepherds art 
himself and his friends in disguise, and their simple 
talk veils a discussion of personal and public topics 
such as would interest all thoughtful Englishmen oi 
the time. Each of the twelve poems was followed by 
a scholarly commentary, written by Edward Kirke 
explaining the allegory and the allusions, and pointing 
out the beauty of the poetry with the greatest enthu- 
siasm. We can see at once how typical of the Renais- 
sance the book was, in its learning and in its imitation 
of French and Italian and classical writers. The alle- 
gorical method also belonged to the age and was char- 
acteristic of Spenser; we shall study it at length in the 
' Faerie Queene.' 

Spenser was hailed at once as the greatest English 
poet since Chaucer, and with his literary success came 
an appointment as secretary to the Lord Deputy of 
Ireland. He took up his new work in 1580, hoping 
that with advancement he might return permanently 
to England and the court. But Ireland was to be for 
him a land of exile until his death. He began his offi- 
cial tasks bravely, however, and devoted his leisure 



INTRODUCTION xi 

the ' Faerie Queene.' In 1588 he was promoted to 

3 clerk of the council of Munster, and the castle of 

ilcolman, near Cork, was given him for a residence. 

itere he received a visit from Sir Walter Raleigh, who 

stened to parts of the l Faerie Queene/ and persuaded 

im to take the first three books to London and pub- 

ish them. The poem appeared in 1590, and won much 

peedier recognition than even such a masterpiece 

iould hope for. The nobility of its content, its richness 

f incident and color, and the wonderful music of its 

erse, were just what the Renaissance had taught cul- 

ured Englishmen to feel the lack of in their poetry, 

,nd the book was hailed as the long-wished-for Eng- 

ish rival of what the preceding centuries had brought 

'orth in other lands. 

I But all the praise could not keep the poet from his 
ixile. The Queen gave him a pension of fifty pounds, 
:oo little to support him in London, and he returned 
jo Ireland, to find what comfort he could in his great 
'ame, and in the composition of the next three books 
)f the ' Faerie Queene.' In 1595 he married Elizabeth 
Boyle, for whom he wrote the ' Amoretti/ a series of 
sonnets, and the l Epithalamion/ one of the noblest of 
ove poems. Shortly after his marriage he returned 
30 London to publish the second instalment of the 
Faerie Queene.' It was on this visit that he wrote 
dis beautiful ' Prothalamion/ an allegorical poem in 
tionor of the wedding of the Earl of Worcester's daugh- 
ters. 

In 1597 he returned to Ireland for the last time. 
He found the country in a state of insurrection, and in 
1598 he was appointed sheriff of Cork, a dangerous 
post that made him a marked man. In August of that 
pear Tyrone defeated the English troops at Black- 



xii INTRODUCTION 

water, and the Irish immediately rose in the south' 
Spenser was surprised in his castle and barely escaped 
with his family to Cork. The castle was burned t( J 
the ground, and it was reported at the time, probably 
incorrectly, that one of his children perished in it 
Spenser was sent to England with government de- 
spatches. Arriving there worn out and despondent: 
he fell ill and died, January 16, 1599. A story long! 
persisted that he died in great want, and that wheni 
the Earl of Essex sent him some money at the last! 
moment, the poet returned it, saying that he had no 
time to spend it. He was buried in Westminster 
Abbey, with great ceremony, near Chaucer. 

II. The Faerie Queene 

Spenser never completed the ' Faerie Queene/ Asf 
we have it now, there are but six whole books and two 
cantos of a seventh. With nothing more to guide us, 
it would be very hard to understand the plan of the 
complicated story as a whole. But Spenser himself, 
fortunately foreseeing this difficulty, prefixed to the 
first books an explanation, in the form of the letter to 
Sir Walter Raleigh. 1 From this we learn the design 
of the whole poem, and the particular meaning of the 
completed portion. 

The " end " or purpose of the l Faerie Queene/ Spen- 
ser says, is "to fashion a gentleman," or, as we should 
say, to portray the building of character. For several 
centuries European literature, in one way or another, 
had been dealing with the problem of what constituted 
a gentleman, but always thinking of the gentleman 
in his social aspect. The Provencal Courts of Love, 
1 See page 169. 



INTRODUCTION xiii 

1 which rules were prescribed and enforced for the 
rver's conduct, represent an early stage in this fashion; 
>aldassare Castiglione's 'Cortegiano/ 1518, represents 
he fashion as it appealed to Sir Philip Sidney, and was 
ealized in his life, and became the subject of Spenser's 
»oem. But the Reformation as well as the Renais- 
ance had moulded the poet's nature, so that he treated 
lis theme from the spiritual rather than the social 
tandpoint; the fashioning of a gentleman in the 
Faerie Queene ' is a question, not merely of man- 
lers, but of the state of the soul as well. 

Such a subject, as Spenser well knew, was naturally 
abstract and philosophical, with a tendency to appeal 
,o the intellect, instead of stirring the emotions, as 
Doetry should do, through images and incidents. In 
>rder to secure this poetical interest, Spenser deter- 
nined to teach the fashioning of a gentleman through a 
;tory. And in order to tell a story, he had t-o inven t 
x) th characters and acti on. Fo r the char acters, he 
,ook th e twelve chief virtues a gentleman should h ave, 
t nd treated them as perso ns; he also personified t he 
i orresponding-j ricos. putting into—concrete jmages. of 
nonsters or even land scape and weather, each tem pta- 
ioirt hat each virtue must overcome before it is perf ect. 
Fhus the Red Cross knight, representing Holiness, 
nust overcome Error, Archimago, Duessa, Despair, 
md the Dragon, before his own character of holiness 
s achieved. Guyon, the knight of Temperance, over- 
comes his peculiar temptations in the same way. 

Thus the virtues and vices of the soul become the 
characters of the 'Faerie Queene.' For the plot, 
Spenser imagined that the Queen of Fairyland held a 
east, lasting twelve days. On each day she sent one 
)f her knights (representing a virtue) on a quest, to 



A 



xiv INTRODUCTION 

rescue some subject in distress. The adventure o 
each knight was to be told in one book, so that the 
complete poem would tell the adventures of the twelve 
knights, who together would therefore represent aL 
the aspects of the souFs achievement of virtue. Be- 
sides this composite picture of the soul, Spenser gives 
us one single example of the perfection of all the vir- 
tues, the gentleman complete, in Prince Arthur. When 
the presiding knight of each book is at his moment of 
greatest weakness, Arthur enters the story, rescues 
the knight, and makes the success of his quest possible: 
In the religious sense he represents Heavenly Grace; 
from the artistic standpoint he serves as a measure of 
the complete soul, by his mere presence reminding us 
that the other knights, whom he assists, are but single 
virtues, not the whole soul. 

The ' Faerie Queene,' therefore, is_an allegory 
that is, the poet tells us one story, complete and in ter- 
esting of^ itself, and means_that_w^e_shall understand a 
hid den-^neaning, another stor y. equally complete and 
intere sting. The Parables in the Bibie7^h^~Bunyan's 
Pilgrim's Progress,' are, with Spenser's poem, the 
great allegories of our literature. In the allegory the 
story_told js as it were an image o rjnetaphor of the 
jme understood; thejsowing of the seed in the parable 
is rpongnizftH a,t onop. a.s a, fit imagp_of_ teaching, sowing 
the seed of truth in men's heartsym the ' Pilgrim's 
Progress 7 the Image of a Journeyisna^Trixi and familiar 
way to express human life. So Spenser, wishing to 
fin d a suit able imagje__oi_manV conquest of sin, the 

fn«V|^r>ningr r >f g orpntlpmgn, rhnqp t hp. nnhlp a.lWory 
o f warfare . The image was not new. St. Paul used 
it of the Christian life, having in mind the Roman 
soldier and his arms. Spenser adopted St. Paul's 



INTRODUCTION xv 

aetaphor, but naturally followed the mediaeval ideal 
if warfare — chivalry, the knightly quest. So in the 
Faerie Queene' the story told is of the twelve knights 
yho go forth to rescue fellowmen in distress; the story 
mderstood is of the soul's conquest of sin. 

From time to time Spenser adds to his poem what 
ve might call a second allegory; in some of the per- 
lonages and incidents he shadows certain of his friends 
and recounts contemporary events. Thus Gloriana 
s Queen Elizabeth, St. George is Leicester, Duessa is 
Mary Queen of Scots, and Arthegal is Lord Grey, 
This portrayal of contemporaries was a kind of com- 
pliment to the poets' friends, customary in mediaeval 
times in other branches of art as well as in poetry. In 
Italian religious painting especially the insertion of 
real portraits was familiar. The interest of the ' Faerie 
Queene ' as a work of art should not be affected in any 
way by this incidental portraiture. 

On a first reading, or even a second or third, the 
wonderful story of the poem, the surprising adven- 
tures of knights and ladies, may give an impression 
of disorder, as if Spenser had imagined the events by 
chance, without consequence or congruity. It is, 
however, only the story told that gives this impression; 
the story understood, which to Spenser was the more 
important, is perfectly logical and clear. In this 
hidden narrative of the soul's battle with sin, the poet 
portrays states of mind rather than actions, and in 
these states of mind we must find the poem's true 
sequence. We find here also Spenser's most faithful 
and universal rendering of life ; in the story understood 
he pictures accurately all possible states of the human 
mind, just as Shakspere portrays all human actions. 
But when Spenser came to reflect these inner expe- 



xvi INTRODUCTION 

riences in the actual story told, he chose his images 
his allegorical metaphors, from every department c 
literature and life, selecting each image for its indi 
vidual fitness, without regard to the metaphors tha 
followed or went before. This eclecticism, resulting 
in confusion, was a Renaissance characteristic, am 
appears again in Spenser's remarkable choice of die 
tion. But the confusion is only in the poet's expres 
sion, in the allegorical metaphors or the actual lan- 
guage; Ruskin's analysis of Book I, appended to his 
' Stones of Venice/ shows how firm and coherent k 
the material of the poem. It is because of this con- 
trast, however, between the simple subject of the 
allegory and its complicated expression, that Spensei 
requires, for full appreciation, so much sympathy, and 
makes his strongest appeal to imaginative readers. 

Spenser's choice of ch ivalry as the outward meta- 
jphor of his alle gor y was almo st inevitabl e. As the 
central institution, then perceptibly passing away, 
of society in the middle ages, chivalry appealed strongly 
to Spenser's love of the past. Recently at Elizabeth's 
court the young knights who were his friends had 
revived for the last time some of the pageantry of 
chivalry, and a few of them, notably Sidney, were 
living out its ideals in a way to fire the imagination of 
a poet. But even more important with Spenser was 
the influence of books. For a hundred years the great 
Italian poems had been epics of chivalry, the romances 
in Spain and France and England had been largely 
stories of the knightly quest, and the lyric poetry in 
France and Italy had been based on the ideals of 
knighthood; the race had expressed itself in terms of 
chivalry, and Spenser simply followed that literary 
method, using the language that was natural to him. 



INTRODUCTION xvii 

5 But the enfeebled institution of chivalry is revitalized 

1 in the ' Faerie Queene ' by Spenser's noble conception 

of spiritual warfare as a condition of the progress of 

the soul; more than the social ideals of knighthood, 

this animates his poem. 

Spenser not only draws upon the ideas of chivalry, 
i but he also takes into his own work practically all the 
familiar episodes and situations of chivalric literature, 
using them as a means of expression. He is heavily 
indebted in this respect to Chaucer, his great master 
in English poetry, and still more to Ariosto and Tasso. 
To the modern understanding of originality in creative 
work, this indebtedness seems sheer plagiarism. The 
mediaeval mind, however, saw nothing to criticise in 
Spenser's methods, which were exactly the methods 
that Chaucer, Ariosto, and Tasso themselves employed. 
Mediaeval art and literature were stereotyped, and 
scenes and episodes were treated as language, — mere 
words, — free to any poet who cared to express him- 
self through them. What the poet expressed, con- 
stituted his originality; Spenser never says the same 
thing as Tasso, nor Tasso the same thing as Ariosto, 
though many descriptions and episodes are common 
to all three. One illustration of this mediaeval attitude 
survives among us in architecture. The architect 
who designs a Gothic church is never accused of pla- 
giarism; on the contrary, we demand of him that he 
follow the recognized models of that type of building. 
His originality is in the proportions, in the graceful 
effect of the whole, and here he leaves the mark of his 
personality. So with the episodes in Spenser — the 
talking tree, the wandering island, the Bower of Bliss; 
they are, as it were, the accepted language of epic 
poetry. The important thing is that Spenser, using 



xviii INTRODUCTION 

them as means of expression, says something new and 
beautiful. 

The language in which the ' Faerie Queene' is writ- 
ten, will attract the student's attention at once. There 
never was anything quite like it, outside of Spenser's 
poem. Like the episodes in the story, it illustrates 
the eclecticism, the wide reading, the lack of feeling 
for congruity, that are typical of the .Renaissance 
poet. Writing a story of chivalry as it was in the past, 
and wishing to give his poem a certain perspective, 
Spenser imitated the language that Chaucer used, 
Middle English. 1 His imitation is extremely free, 
however; many of Chaucer's word -forms he seems not 
to have understood, and very probably it mattered 
nothing to him whether he understood them or not; 
he preferred to re-build the language for his own use. 
Always interested in the past, he was governed in the 
choice of words by their age, first of all, and then by 
their imaginative quality, picturesqueness, and their 
musical effect. The second and third qualities mark 
any poet's vocabulary; the first is characteristic of the 
antiquarian strain in Spenser. These principles apply 
to his choice of words in general. In the matter of 
rhyming he takes more than liberty with the language ; 
not only does he invent new declensions and verb- 
forms and revive obsolete meanings, for the sake of 
the rhyme, but he even gives purely arbitrary meanings 
to familiar words, with the greatest violence to their 
connotations. 2 

Spenser's choice of words for their musical quality 
has just been noticed. No other English poem has such 
sweetness as the 'Faerie Queene,' nor any other poet 

x See the quotation from Chaucer, p. 152. 
2 See note on II, xii, 75, p. 166. 



INTRODUCTION xix 

such sustained power of song as Spenser. His music 
is languid in manner, and gives at first an impression 
of luxuriousness and effeminacy, that hardly does jus- 
tice to the greatness of his nature. The Notes will call 
attention to passages strikingly concise and spirited, 
but even in such lines the charm of the music is still felt. 
Much of this music is obtained from the stanza in 
which the poem is written, — Spenser's own invention, 
and for that reason known as the Spenserian stanza. 
It contains nine lines, the first line rhyming with the 
third, the second rhyming with the fourth, fifth, and 
seventh, and the sixth rhyming with the eighth and 
ninth. The rhyme-scheme may therefore be denoted 
by ababbcbcc. The first eight lines are of the same 
length, having five stresses; the ninth line is longer 
than the others, and has six stresses. In this last line 
lies the peculiarity of the stanza. The extra stress has 
the effect of retarding the music without breaking it, 
so that the ear is rested in a long continuous passage. 
On the other hand, at the end of a single stanza or an 
episode or a canto, the last line is capable of superb 
final cadences; the musical weight of the line seems 
sufficient climax for all that goes before. It should 
be noticed also that the cesura, or break, in the last 
line is extremely free; Spenser lets it fall anywhere, 
near the beginning or the end or the middle; and the 
effect is of infinite variety. No two stanzas in this 
long poem make quite the same musical impression. 
The final lines of the first four stanzas in the poem 
illustrate this variety: 

'As one for knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt.' 
'Yet nothing did he dread, but ever was ydrad.' 
'Upon his foe, a Dragon horrible and stearne.' 
'And by her, in a line, a milkewhite lambe she lad.' 



xx INTRODUCTION 

Spenser's spelling is practically phonetic. The \ 
verses should be read as they are spelled, and the 
rhythm will show what syllables, silent in modern 
English, must be pronounced. Final -es in plurals 
and possessives should be sounded, as should final -ed. 
Some words, like Howards,' receive the full value of 
both syllables, as the demands of the scansion will 
show. In spelling, as in meaning, the rhymes are a 
law unto themselves; the sound of the word must be 
taken from the other rhymes, just as the meaning in 
such cases must often be found in the context. 



III. Helps to Teachers 

The great edition of Spenser's works is Grosart's 
(privately printed), in nine volumes. The life of 
Spenser in the first volume is very complete, and the 
appended essays by various critics should be exceed- 
ingly helpful to mature students. Among these essays 
should be noticed especially Aubrey De Vere's on the 
Characteristics of Spenser's Poetry (reprinted in 'Es- 
says, Chiefly on Poetry,' Vol. I, Macmillan). The 
best one-volume edition of the complete works is the 
Morris-Hale edition (Macmillan). An excellent one- 
volume edition of the complete 'Faerie Queene' is 
W. P. Trent's (Crowell). 

The standard biography of Spenser is that by Dean 
Church, in the English Men of Letters series. Of the 
innumerable essays that the teacher or student might 
consult, the most suggestive are Sidney Lee's, in 
'Great Englishmen of the Sixteenth Century' (Scrib- 
ner's) , — chiefly biographical in its interest ; Ruskin's 
analysis of the allegory of the first book, appended to 
1 Stones of Venice,' — valuable as showing the logical 



INTRODUCTION xxi 

structure of the story; G. E. Woodberry's essay in 
The Torch' (McClure), — a remarkably sympathetic 
malysis of the significance of the ' Faerie Queene' and 
ts position in world literature; Lowell's essay on 
Spenser in ' Among My Books/ Series II; and the earlier 
chapters of J. S. Harrison's 'Platonism in English 
Poetry of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries' 
(Macmillan), — admirable expositions of the philo- 
sophical basis of the first books of the 'Faerie Queene.' 

In approaching Spenser's great allegory, the student 
may easily be misled or discouraged by ill-advised 
erudition and commentary. Thoughtful as the poem 
is — one of the most thoughtful and scholarly in any 
language — its first appeal is to the imagination, and 
nothing should be allowed to interfere with this appeal. 
The student should see the adventures, and sympathize 
with the misfortunes and victories of the characters; 
after that it will be time enough to show what the 
poem means. The poem should be read through first 
for the story, then for the allegory, to understand the 
sequence of the states of mind, and then for the study 
of characters, scenes, color-effects, and the music of 
the verse. 

On many other sides the study of the poem can be 
enriched. Some attention might be paid to individual 
words, especially the old ones, in order to stimulate 
the student's imagination and to vitalize the language 
for him. And the more historical background the 
student has for the poem, the better, since it is so much 
a poem of the past. Here, again, however, the ap- 
proach should be imaginative. For a picture of Eliza- 
bethan England, Scott's 'Kenilworth' might be read, 
and for the beginning of the Renaissance, Charles 
Reade's 'Cloister and the Hearth.' Of the numerous 



xxii INTRODUCTION 

essays on the Renaissance, the first chapter in Sidm 
Lee's 'Great Englishmen of the Sixteenth Centu: 
is the most useful. For different views of chival: 
Tennyson, Mallory, and Froissart provide convenient 
examples, and an excellent essay on the institution of 
chivalry is that prefixed to Sir Edward Strachey's 
edition of the 'Morte D' Arthur' (Macmillan). 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 



SPENSER S LIFE. 



CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE AND HISTORY. 



1552. Spenser born 
in London. 



1569. 



Spenser enters 
Pembroke 
Hall, Cam- 
bridge. 



1576. Spenser, M.A. 



1579. 



The Shep- 
heardes Calen- 
dar. Corre- 
spondence 
with Harvey. 



1551. Sir Walter Raleigh born. English 
Prayer Book revised by Cranmer. 



1553. Edward VI died. Coronation of 

Lady Jane Grey. Accession of 
Mary. 

1554. Sir Philip Sidney and John Lyly 

born. 

1555. Protestants persecuted. 

1556. Cranmer and Loyola died. 
1558. Thomas Lodge and George Peele 

born. England loses Calais. Death 
of Mary. Accession of Elizabeth. 

1560. Robert Greene born. The Geneva 

Bible. 

1561. Francis Bacon born. 

1563. Michael Drayton born. The Thirty- 

nine articles. 

1564. Shakespere, Marlowe, and Galileo 

born. Michael Angelo and Calvin 
died. 



1571. Elizabeth deposed by the Pope. 

Keppler born. 

1572. St. Bartholomew's massacre. 

1573. Bacon enters Trinity College, Cam- 

bridge. Gabriel Harvey, M.A., 
Cambridge. Sidney in Germany 
and Italy. 
1575. John Lyly, M.A., Oxford. Tasso's 
Gerusalemme Liberata completed. 

First public theatre in London. 
Elizabeth's Kenilworth progress. 
Titian died. 

Lyly's Euphues. North's transla- 
tion of Plutarch. 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 



SPENSER'S LIFE. 



1580. 



1588. 

1590. 
1591. 

1594. 
1595. 

1596. 

1598. 



Secretary to 
the Lord 
Deputy of 
Ireland. 



Clerk of the 

Council of 

Munster. 
The Faerie 

Queene, i-iii. 
Pension from 

the Queen. 

Daphnaida; 

Complaints, 

Spenser mar- 
ries Elizabeth 
Boyle. 

Colin Clouts 
Come Home 
again; Amo- 
retti; Epitha- 
lamion. 

View of the 
State of Ire- 
land; Faerie 
Queene, iv-vi; 
Prothalamion. 

Sheriff of 
Cork. 



1599. Spenser died 
in London. 



CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE AND HISTORY. 



Lodge's Defense of Plays. Sir 
Francis Drake sails round the 
world. Montaigne's Essais. 

1583. Sir Humphrey Gilbert sails to 

Newfoundland. Sidney knighted. 
Galileo discovers the principle of 
the pendulum. 

1584. Bacon enters Parliament. Raleigh 

colonizes Virginia. 

1586. Shakspere leaves Stratford for Lon- 

don. Sidney died. 

1587. Marlowe's Tamburlaine. Mary 

Queen of Scots executed. 
Spanish Armada defeated. 



Marlowe's Tamburlaine published. 

Sidney's Arcadia. 
Shakspere 's Love's Labour's Lost and 

Two Gentlemen of Verona. Sidney's 

Astrophel and Stella. 

1593. Marlowe died. 

Marlowe's Edward II published. 
Shakspere 's Merchant of Venice, 
King John; the Sonnets begun. 

Sidney's Apologie for Poetrie. 
Shakspere 's Midsummer Night's 
Dream, All's Well that Ends Well, 
and Taming of the Shrew. Tasso 
died. 

Sir Francis Drake died. Descartes 
born. 



Globe Theatre built. Jonson's 
Every Man in his Humour. Shak- 
spere's Henry V. Burghley died. 

The Passionate Pilgrim. 



THE FAERIE QUEENE 



THE FIRST BOOK 

CONTAYNING THE LEGEND OF THE KNIGHT OF THE RED 
CROSSE, OR OF HOLINESSE 



CANTO I 

The Patrone of true Holinesse 

Foule Errour doth defeate: 
Hypocrisie, him to entrappe, 

Doth to his home entreate, 

1. A gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine, 
Ycladd in mightie armes and silver shielde, 
Wherein old dints of deepe woundes did remaine, 
The cruell markes of many' a bloody fielde; 

Yet armes till that time did he never wield. 

His angry steede did chide his foming bitt, 

As much disdayning to the curbe to yield: 

Full jolly 1 knight he seemd, and faire did sitt, 

As one for knightly giusts 2 and fierce encounters fitt. 

2. And on his brest a bloodie Crosse he bore, 
The deare remembrance of his dying Lord, 

For whose sweete sake that glorious badge he wore. 
And dead, as living, ever him ador'd: 
Upon his shield the like was also scor'd, 3 
For soveraine hope which in his helpe he had. 
Right faithfull true he was in deede and word, 
But of his cheere did seeme too solemne sad; 
Yet nothing did he dread, but ever was ydrad. 4 

1 Brave. 2 Jousts. 3 Engraved. 4 Dreaded. 

1 



THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

3. Upon a great adventure he was bond, 
That greatest Gloriana to him gave, 

(That greatest Glorious Queene of Faery lond) 
To winne him worshippe, and her grace to have, 
Which of all earthly thinges he most did crave: 
And ever as he rode his hart did earne 1 
To prove his puissance in battell brave 
Upon his foe, and his new force to learne, 
Upon his foe, a Dragon horrible and stearne. 

4. A lovely Ladie rode him faire beside, 
Upon a lowly Asse more white then snow, 
Yet she much whiter; but the same did hide 
Under a vele, that wimpled 2 was full low; 
And over all a blacke stole 3 shee did throw: 
As one that inly mournd, so was she sad, 
And heavie sate upon her palfrey slow; 
Seemed in heart some hidden care she had, 

And by her, in a line, a milkewhite lambe she lad. 4 

5. So pure and innocent, as that same lambe, 
She was in life and every vertuous lore 5 ; 
And by descent from Royall lynage came 

Of ancient Kinges and Queenes, that had of yore 

Their scepters stretcht from East to Westerne shore, 

And all the world in their subjection held; 

Till that infernall feend with foule uprore 

Forwasted 6 all their land, and them expeld; 

Whom to avenge she had this Knight from far compeld. 

6. Behind her farre away a Dwarfe did lag, 
That lasie seemd, in being ever last, 

Or wearied with bearing of her bag 

Of needments at his backe. Thus as they past, 

The day with cloudes was suddeine overcast, 

And angry Jove an hideous storme of raine 

Did poure into his Lemans 7 lap so fast, 

That everie wight 8 to shrowd 9 it did constrain; 

And this faire couple eke 10 to shroud themselves were fain. 

iYearn. 2 Folded into plaits. 3 Cloak, 4 Led. 5 Instruction. 

6 Laid waste. 7 Lover's, 8 Person. 9 Take shelter. 10 Also. 



Canto I] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 3 

7. Enforst to seeke some covert nigh at hand, 
A shadie grove not fair away they spied, 
That promist ayde the tempest to withstand; 
Whose loftie trees, yclad with sommers pride, 
Did spred so broad, that heavens light did hide, 
Not perceable with power of any starr: 

And all within were pathes and alleies wide, 

With footing worne, and leading inward farr. 

Faire harbour that them seems, so in they entred ar. 

8. And foorth they passe, with pleasure forward led, 
Joying to heare the birdes sweete harmony, 
Which, therein shrouded from the tempest dred, 
Seemd in their song to scorne the cruell sky. 
Much can they praise the trees so straight and hy, 
The sayling Pine; the Cedar proud and tall; 

The vine-propp Elme; the Poplar never dry; 

The builder Oake, sole king of forrests all; 

The Aspine good for staves; the Cypresse funerall; 

9. The Laurell, meed of mightie Conquerours 
And Poets sage; the Firre that weepeth still: 
The Willow, worne of forlorne Paramours 1 ; 
The Eugh, obedient to the benders will; 

The Birch for shaftes; the Sallow for the mill; 

The Mirrhe sweete-bleeding in the bitter wound; 

The warlike Beech; the Ash for nothing ill; 

The fruitfull Olive; and the Platane round; 

The carver 2 Holme; the Maple seeldom inward sound. 

10. Led with delight, they thus beguile the way, 
Untill the blustring storme is overblowne; 
When, weening 3 to returne whence they did stray, 
They cannot finde that path, which first was showne, 
But wander too and fro in waies unknowne, 
Furthest from end then, when they neerest weene, 
That makes them doubt their wits be not their owne: 
So many pathes, so many turnings seene, 
That which of them to take in diverse doubt they been. 4 

1 Lovers. 2 Fit for carving. 3 Thinking. 4 Are. 



I THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

11. At last resolving forward still to fare, 

Till that some end they finde, or in or out, 

That path they take that beaten seemd most bare, 

And like to lead the labyrinth about; 

Which when by tract they hunted had throughout, 

At length it brought them to a hollowe cave 

Amid the thickest woods. The Champion stout 

Eftsoones dismounted from his courser brave, 

And to the Dwarf e a while his needlesse spere he gave. 

12. 'Be well aware, 1 'quoth then that Ladie milde, 
' Least suddaine mischiefe ye too rash provoke : 
The danger hid, the place unknbwne and wilde, 
Breedes dreadfull doubts. Oft fire is without smoke, 
And perill without show: therefore your stroke, 

Sir Knight, with-hold, till further tryall made.' 

'Ah Ladie,' (sayd he) 'shame were to revoke 

The forward footing for an hidden shade: 

Vertue gives her selfe light through darknesse for to wade.' 

13. ' Yea but ' (quoth she) ' the perill of this place 
I better wot 2 then you: though nowe too late 
To wish you backe returne with foule disgrace, 
Yet wisedome warnes, whilest foot is in the gate, 
To stay the steppe, ere forced to ret rate. 

This is the wandring wood, this Errours den, 
A monster vile, whom God and man does hate : 
Therefore I read 3 beware.' 'Fly, fly!' (quoth then 
The fearefull Dwarf e) 'this is no place for living men.' 

14. But, full of fire and greedy hardiment, 4 

The youthfull Knight could not for ought be staide; 

But forth unto the darksom hole, he went, 

And looked in: his glistring armor made 

A litle glooming light, much like a shade; 

By which he saw the ugly monster plaine, 

Halfe like a serpent horribly displaide, 5 

But th'other halfe did womans shape retaine, 

Most lothsom, filthie, foule, and full of vile disdaine. 6 

1 On the watch. 2 Know. 3 Advise. 

4 Hardihood. 5 Spread out. 6 That which is despicable. 



Canto I] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 5 

15. And, as she lay upon the durtie ground, 
Her huge long taile her den all overspred, 

Yet was in knots and many boughtes 1 upwound, 

Pointed with mortall sting. Of her there bred 

A thousand yong ones, which she dayly fed, 

Sucking upon her poisnous dugs; each one 

Of sundrie shapes, yet all ill-favored : 

Soone as that uncouth 2 light upon them shone, 

Into her mouth they crept, and suddain all were gone. 

16. Their dam upstart out of her den effraide, 3 
And rushed forth, hurling her hideous taile 
About her cursed head; whose folds displaid 
Were stretcht now forth at length without entraile. 4 
She lookt about, and seeing one in mayle, 

Armed to point, sought backe to turne againe; 

For light she hated as the deadly bale, 5 

Ay 6 wont 7 in desert darknes to remaine, 

Where plain none might her see, nor she see any plaine. 

I 

17. Which when the! valiant Elfe 8 perceiv'd, he lept 

As Lyon fierce upon the flying pray, 

And with his trenchand 9 blade her boldly kept 

From turning backe, and forced her to stay: 

Therewith enrag'd she loudly gan to bray, 10 

And turning fierce her speckled taile advaunst, 

Threatning her angrie sting, him to dismay; 

Who, nought aghast, his mightie hand enhaunst 11 : 

The stroke down from her head unto her shoulder glaunst. 

18. Much daunted with that dint her sence was dazd; 
Yet kindling rage her selfe she gathered round, 
And all attonce her beastly bodie raizd 

With doubled forces high above the ground: 

Tho, 12 wrapping up her wrethed 13 sterne 14 arownd, 

Lept fierce upon his shield, and her huge traine 

All suddenly about his body wound, 

That hand or foot to stirr he strove in vaine. 

God helpe the man so wrapt in Errours endlesse traine! 

1 Loops. 2 Unaccustomed. 3 Frightened. 4 Entanglement. 

5 Evil. 6 Ever. 7 Accustomed. 8 Fairy. 9 Trenchant, cutting. 
10 Cry out. "Raised. 12 Then. w Twisted. 14 Tail. 



) THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

19. His Lady, sad to see his sore constraint, 1 

Cride out, 'Now, now, Sir knight, shew what ye bee; 

Add faith unto your force, and be not faint; 

Strangle her, els she sure will strangle thee.' 

That when he heard, in great perplexitie, 

His gall did grate 2 for grief e and high disdaine; 

And, knitting all his force, got one hand free, 

Wherewith he grypt her gorge 3 with so great paine, 

That soone to loose her wicked bands did her const raine. 4 

20. Therewith she spewd out of her filthie maw 
A floud of poyson horrible and blacke, 

Full of great lumps of flesh and gobbets 5 raw, 
Which stunck so vildly, that it forst him slacke 
His grasping hold, and from her turne him backe. 
Her vomit full of bookes and papers was, 
With loathly frogs and toades, which eyes did lacke, 
And creeping sought way in the weedy gras: 
Her filthie parbreake 6 all the place denied has. 

21. As when old father Nilus gins to swell 
With timely pride above the Aegyptian vale 
His fattie waves doe 'fertile slime outwell, 
And overflow each plaine and lowly dale: 
But, when his later spring gins to avale, 7 

Huge heapes of mudd he leaves, wherein there breed 

Ten thousand kindes of creatures, partly male 

And partly f email, of his fruitful seed; 

Such ugly monstrous shapes elswher may no man reed. 8 

22. The same so sore annoyed has the knight, 
That, welnigh choked with the deadly stinke, 
His forces faile, ne can no lenger fight : 

Whose co rage when the feend perceivd to shrinke, 
She poured forth out of her hellish sinke 9 
Her fruitfull cursed spawne of serpents small, 
Deformed monsters, fowle, and blacke as inke, 
Which swarming all about his legs did crall, 
And him encombred sore, but could not hurt at all. 

1 Distress. 2 Irritate. 3 Throat. 4 Compel. ^Mouthfuls. 

6 Vomit. 7 To sink. 8 Imagine. 9 Deposit. 






Canto I] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 7 

23. As gentle shepheard in sweete eventide, 
When ruddy Phebus gins to welke 1 in west, 
High on an hill, his flocke to vewen wide, 
Markes which doe byte their hasty supper best; 
A cloud of cumbrous gnattes doe him molest, 
All striving to infixe their feeble stinges, 

That from their noyance he no where can rest; 
But with his clownish hands their tender wings 
He brusheth oft, and oft doth mar their murmurings. 

24. Thus ill bestedd, 2 and fearefull more of shame 
Then of the certeine perill he stood in, 
Halfe furious unto his foe he came, 
Resolvd in minde all suddenly to win, 

Or soone to lose, before he once would lin 3 ; 

And stroke at her with more then manly force, 

That from her body, full of filthie sin, 

He raft her hatef ull heade without remorse : 

A streame of cole-black blood forth gushed from her corse. 

25. Her scattered brood, soone as their Parent deare 
They saw so rudely falling to the ground, 
Groning full deadly, all with troublous feare 
Gathred themselves about her body round, 
Weening 4 their wonted entrance to have found 
At her wide mouth; but being there withstood, 5 
They flocked all about her bleeding wound, 
And sucked up their dying mothers bloud, 

Making her death their life, and eke° her hurt their good. 

26. That detestable sight him much amazde, 
To see th' unkindly Impes, of heaven accurst, 
Devoure their dam; on whom while so he gazd, 
Having all satisfide their bloudy thurst, 

Their bellies swolne he saw with fulnesse burst, 
And bowels gushing forth: well worthy end 
Of such as drunke her life the which them nurst! 
Now needeth him no lenger labour spend, 
His foes have slaine themselves, with whom he should 
contend. 

iFade. 2 Beset. s Cease. * Thinking. 5p reve nted. . 6 Also. 



8 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

27. His Lady, seeing all that chaunst from farre, 
Approcht in hast to greet his victorie; 
And saide, ' Faire knight, borne under happie starre, 
Who see your vanquisht foes before you lye, 
Well worthie be you of that Armory, 1 
Wherein ye have great glory wonne this day, 
And proov'd your strength on a strong enimie, 
Your first adventure : many such I pray, 
And henceforth ever wish that like succeed it may!' 



28. Then mounted he upon his Steede againe, 
And with the Lady backward sought to wend. 
That path he kept which beaten was most plaine, 
Ne 2 ever would to any byway bend, 

But still did follow one unto the end, 
The which at last out of the wood them brought. 
So forward on his way (with God to frend) 
He passed forth, and new adventure sought: 
Long way he travelled before he heard of ought. 

29. At length they chaunst to meet upon the way 
An aged Sire, in long blacke weedes 3 yclad, 
His feete all bare, his beard all hoarie gray, 
And by his belt his booke he hanging had: 
Sober he seemde, and very sagely sad, 

And to the ground his eyes were lowly bent, 

Simple in shew, and voide of malice bad; 

And all the way he prayed as he went, 

And often knockt his brest, as one that did repent. 

30. He faire the knight saluted, louting 4 low, 
Who faire him quited, 5 as that courteous was; 
And after asked him, if he did know 

Of straunge adventures, which abroad did pas. 

'Ah! my dear sonne,' (quoth he) /how should, alas! 

Silly" old man, that lives in hidden cell, 

Bidding his beades all day for his trespas, 

Tydings of warre and worldly trouble tell? 

With holy father sits 7 not with such thinges to mell. 8 

1 Armor. 2 Nor. 3 Garments. 4 Bowing. 

5 Requited, answered. 6 Innocent. 7 It is suitable. 8 To mingle. 






Canto J\ THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 

31. 'But if of daunger, which hereby doth dwell, 
And homebredd evil ye desire to heare, 

Of a straunge man I can you tidings tell, 

That wasteth all this countrie, farre and neare.' 

'Of such/ (saide he,) 'I chiefly doe inquere, 

And shall thee well rewarde to shew the place, 

In which that wicked wight his dayes doth weare; 

For to all knighthood it is foule disgrace, 

That such a cursed creature lives so long a space.' 

32. l Far hence ' (quoth he) ' in wastfull wildernesse 
His dwelling is, by which no living wight 

May ever passe, but thorough 1 great distressed 

'Now/ (saide the Ladie,) 'draweth toward night, 

And well I wote, 2 that of your later fight 

Ye all forwearied be; for what so strong, 

But, wanting rest, will also want of might? 

The Sunne, that measures heaven all day long, 

At night doth baite 3 his steedes the Ocean waves emong. 

33. 'Then with the Sunne take, Sir, your timely rest, 
And with new day new worke at once begin: 
Untroubled night, they say, gives counsell best.' 
'Right well, Sir knight, ye have advised bin/ 
Quoth then that aged man: 'the way to win 

Is wisely to advise; now day is spent: 

Therefore with me ye may take up your In 4 

For this same night.' The knight was well content; 

So with that godly father to his home they went. 

34. A litle lowly Hermitage it was, 
Downe in a dale, hard by a forests side, 
Far from resort of people that did pas 
In traveill to and f roe : a litle wyde 5 
There was an holy chappell edify de, 6 
Wherein the Hermite dewly wont to say 
His holy thinges each morne and eventyde: 
Thereby a christall streame did gently play, 
Which from a sacred fountaine welled forth alway. 

1 Through. 2 Know. 3 Feed. 4 Lodging. « Remote. 6 Built. 



10 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

35. Arrived there, the litle house they fill, 

Ne looke for entertainement where none was; 
Rest is their feast, and all thinges at their will: 
The noblest mind the best contentment has. 
With faire discourse the evening so they pas; 
For that olde man of pleasing wordes had store, 
And well could file his tongue as smooth as glas: 
He told of Saintes and Popes, and evermore 
He strowd an Ave-Mary after and before. 

36. The drouping night thus creepeth on them fast; 
And the sad humor loading their eyeliddes, 
As messenger of Morpheus, on them cast 
Sweet slombring deaw, 1 the which to sleep them biddes. 
Unto their lodgings then his guestes he riddes 2 : 
Where when all drownd in deadly sleepe he findes, 
He to his studie goes; and there amiddes 
His magick bookes, and artes of sundrie kindes, 
He seekes out mighty charmes to trouble sleepy minds. 

37. Then choosing out few words most horrible, 
(Let none them read) thereof did verses frame; 
With which, and other spelles like terrible, 
He bad awake blacke Plutoes griesly Dame; 
And cursed heven; and spake reprochful shame 
Of highest God, the Lord of life and light: 
A bold bad man, that dar'd to call by name 
Great Gorgon, prince of darknes and dead night; 
At which Cocytus quakes, and Styx is put to flight. 

38. And forth he cald out of deepe darknes dredd 
Legions of Sprights, the which, like litle flyes 
Fluttring about his ever-damned hedd, 
Awaite whereto their service he applyes, 
To aide his friendes, or fray 3 his enimies. 
Of those he chose out two, the falsest twoo, 
And fittest for to forge true-seeming lyes: 
The one of them he gave a message too, 
The other by him selfe staide, other worke to doo. 

1 Dew. 2 Despatches. 3 Frighten. 



Canto I] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 11 

39. He, making speedy way through spersed 1 ayre, 
And through the world of waters wide and deepe, 
To Morpheus house doth hastily repaire. 

Amid the bowels of the earth full steepe, 

And low, where dawning day doth never peepe, 

His dwelling is; there Tethys his wet bed 

Doth ever wash, and Cynthia still doth steepe 

In silver deaw 2 his ever-drouping hed, 

Whiles sad Night over him her mantle black doth spred. 

40. Whose double gates he findeth locked fast, 
The one faire fram'd of burnisht Yvory, 
The other all with silver overcast; 

And wakeful dogges before them farre doe lye, 

Watching to banish Care their enimy, 

Who oft is wont to trouble gentle Sleepe. 

By them the Sprite doth passe in quietly, 

And unto Morpheus comes, whom drowned deepe 

In drowsie fit he findes; of nothing he takes keepe. 3 

41. And more to lulle him in his slumber soft, 

A trickling streame from high rock tumbling downe, 

And ever-drizling raine upon the loft, 4 

Mixt with a murmuring winde, much like the sowne 5 

Of swarming Bees, did cast him in a swowne. 6 

No other noyse, nor peoples troublous cryes, 

As still are wont t 'annoy the walled towne, 

Might there be heard; but carelesse Quiet lyes 

Wrapt in eternall silence farre from enimyes. 

42. The Messenger approching to him spake; 

But his waste wordes retournd to him in vaine: 

So sound he slept, that nought mought 7 him awake. 

Then rudely he him thrust, and pusht with paine, 

Whereat he gan to stretch; but he againe 

Shooke him so hard, that forced him to speake. 

As one then in a dreame, whose dryer braine 

Is tost with troubled sights and fancies weake, 

He mumbled soft, but would not all his silence breake. 

1 Dispersed. 2 Dew. 3 Heed. 4 Sky. 

s Sound. 6 Swoon. 7 Might. 



12 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

43. The Sprite then gan more boldly him to wake, 
And threatned unto him the dreaded name 
Of Hecate: whereat he gan to quake, 

And, lifting up his lompish 1 head, with blame 

Halfe angrie asked him, for what he came. 

'Hether' (quoth he,) 'me Archimago sent, 

He that the stubborne Sprites can wisely tame, 

He bids thee to him send for his intent 

A fit false dreame, that can delude the sleepers sent. 2 

44. The God obayde; and, calling forth straight way 
A diverse 3 Dreame out of his prison darke, 
Delivered it to him, and downe did lay 

His heavie head, devoide of careful carke 4 ; 

Whose sences all were straight benumbd and starke. 5 

He, backe returning by the Yvorie dore, 

Remounted up as light as chearefull Larke; 

And on his litle winges the dreame he bore 

In hast unto his Lord, where he him left afore. 

[With the help of the false dream Archimago then persuades 
the Red Cross knight that Una is untrue.] 



CANTO II 

The guilefull great Enchaunter parts 
The Redcrosse Knight from Truth: 

Into whose stead faire falsehood steps, 
And workes him woeful! ruth. 



6. Retourning to his bed in torment great, 
And bitter anguish of his guilty sight, 
He could not rest; but did his stout heart eat, 
And wast his inward gall with deepe despight, 6 
Yrkesome 7 of life, and too long lingring night. 
At last faire Hesperus in highest skie 
Had spent his lampe, and brought forth dawning light: 
Then up he rose, and clad him hastily: 
The dwarf e him brought his steed; so both away do fly. 

1 Stupid. 2 Scent, perception. 3 Capable of various forms. 

4 Care, anxiety. 5 Stiff. 6 Aversion. 7 Weary. 



1 1 Canto II] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT '13 

7. Now when the rosy fingred Morning faire> 
Weary of aged Tithones saffron bed, 
Had spred her purple robe through deawy aire, 
And the high hils Titan discovered, 
The royall virgin shooke off drousy-hed 1 ; 
And, rising forth out of her baser 2 bowre, 
Lookt for her knight, who far away was fled, 
And for her dwarfe, that wont to wait each howre: 
Then gan she wail and weepe to see that woeful stowre. 3 

8. And after him she rode, with so much speede 
As her slowe beast could make; but all in vaine, 
For him so far had borne his light-foot steede, 
Pricked with wrath and fiery fierce disdaine, 
That him to follow was but fruitlesse paine : 
Yet she her weary limbes would never rest; 
But every hil and dale, each wood and plaine, 
Did search, sore grieved in her gentle brest, 
He so ungently left her, whome she loved best. 

9. But subtill Archimago, when his guests 
He saw divided into double parts, 
And Una wandring in woods and forrests, 
Th' end of his drift, 4 he praisd his divelish arts, 
That had such might over true meaning harts. 
Yet rests not so, but other meanes doth make, 
How he may worke unto her further smarts; 
For her he hated as the hissing snake, 
And in her many troubles did most pleasure take. 

10. He then devisde himself e how to disguise; 
For by his mighty science he could take 
As many formes and shapes in seeming wise, 5 
As ever Proteus to himselfe could make : 
Sometime a fowle, sometime a fish in lake, 
Now like a foxe, now like a dragon fell; 
That of himselfe he ofte for feare would quake, 
And oft would flie away. O! who can tell 
The hidden powre of herbes, and might of Magick spel? 

1 Drowsiness. 2 Lower. 3 Peril. 4 Aim, purpose. 5 Manner. 



14 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

11. But now seemde best the person to put on 
Of that good knight, his late beguiled guest: 
In mighty armes he was yclad anon, 

And silver shield; upon his coward brest 

A bloody crosse, and on his craven crest 

A bounch of heares discolourd diversly. 

Full jolly 1 knight he seemde, and wel addrest; 

And when he sate upon his courser free, 

Saint George himselfe ye would have deemed him to be. 

12. But he, the knight whose semblaunt 2 he did beare, 
The true Saint George, was wandred far away, 
Still flying from his thoughts and gealous feare: 
Will 3 was his guide, and griefe led him astray. 

At last him chaunst to meete upon the way 
A faithlesse Sarazin, all armde to point, 
In whose great shield was writ with letters gay 
Sans foy 4 ; full large of limbe and every joint 
He was, and cared not for God or man a point. 

13. Hee had a faire companion of his way, 
A goodly Lady clad in scarlot red, 
Purfled 5 with gold and pearle of rich assay; 
And like a Persian mitre on her hed 

Shee wore, with crowns and owches 6 garnished, 

The which her lavish lovers to her gave. 

Her wanton palfrey all was overspred 

With tinsell trappings, woven like a wave, 

Whose bridle rung with golden bels and bosses 7 brave. 

14. With faire disport, and courting dalliaunce, 
She intertainde her lover all the way; 

But, when she saw the knight his speare advaunce, 

She soone left off her mirth and wanton play, 

And bad her knight addresse him to the fray, 

His foe was nigh at hand. He, prickte with pride 

And hope to winne his Ladies hearte that day, 

Forth spurred fast: adowne his coursers side 

The red bloud trickling staind the way, as he did ride. 

1 Brave. 2 Appearance. 3 Passion. 4 Faithless. 5 Embroidered. 

6 Gold ornaments, brooches. 

7 The knobs at the ends of the mouthpiece of a bridle-bit. 



Canto II] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 15 

15. The knight of the Redcrosse, when him he spide 
Spurring so hote with rage dispiteous, 1 

Gan fairely couch his speare, and towards ride. 
Soone meete they both, both fell and furious, 
That, daunted with theyr forces hideous, 
Their steeds doe stagger, and amazed stand; 
And eke themselves, too rudely rigorous, 
Astonied with the stroke of their owne hand, 
Doe backe rebutte, 2 and ech to other yealdeth land. 

16. As when two rams, stird with ambitious pride, 

Fight for the rule of the rich fleeced flocke, 

Their horned fronts so fierce on either side 

Doe meete, that, with the terror of the shocke, 

Astonied, both stand sencelesse as a blocke, 

Forgetfull of the hanging 3 victory: 

So stood these twaine, unmoved as a rocke, 

Both staring fierce, and holding idely 

The broken reliques of their former cruelty. 

17. The Sarazin, sore daunted with the buffe, 4 

Snatcheth his sword, and fiercely to him flies; 

Who well it wards, and quyteth 5 cuff with cuff: 

Each others equall puissaunce envies, 

And through their iron sides with cruell spies 6 

Does seeke to perce; repining courage yields 

No foote to foe : the flashing fier flies, 

As from a forge, out of their burning shields; 

And streams of purple bloud new die the verdant fields. 

18. 'Curse on that Cross,' (quoth then the Sarazin,) 
'That keepes thy body from the bitter fitt 7 ! 
Dead long ygoe, I wote, thou haddest bin, 
Had not that charme from thee forwarned itt : 
But yet I warne thee now assured sitt, 

And hide thy head.' Therewith upon his crest 

With rigor so outrageous he smitt, 

That a large share it hewd out of the rest, 

And glauncing downe his shield from blame 8 him fairly blest. 

1 Pitiless. 2 Recoil. 3 Suspended. 4 Blow. 

5 Answers. 6 Glances. 7 Stroke. 8 Hurt. 



16 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

19. Who, thereat wondrous wroth, the sleeping spark 
Of native vertue gan eftsoones revive; 

And at his haughty helmet making mark, 
So hugely stroke, that it the Steele did rive, 1 
And cleft his head. He, tumbling downe alive, 
With bloudy mouth his mother earth did kis, 
Greeting his grave : his grudging ghost did strive 
With the fraile flesh; at last it flitted is, 
Whither the soules doe fly of men that live amis. 

20. The Lady, when she saw her champion fall 
Like the old ruins of a broken towre, 
Staid not to waile his woefull funerall, 

But from him fled away with all her powre; 

Who after her as hastily gan scowre, 2 

Bidding the dwarfe with him to bring away 

The Sarazins shield, signe of the conqueroure. 

Her soone he overtooke, and bad to stay; 

For present cause was none of dread her to dismay. 

21. Shee turning backe, with ruefull countenaunce, 
Cride, 'Mercy, mercy, Sir, vouchsafe to show 
On silly Dame, subject to hard mischaunce, 
And to your mighty wil ! ' Her humblesse low, 
In so ritch weedes, and seeming glorious show, 
Did much emmove his stout hero'icke heart; 
And said, ' Deare dame, your suddein overthrow 
Much rueth me; but now put feare apart, 

And tel both who ye be, and who that tooke your part.' 

22. Melting in teares, then gan shee thus lament. 

' The wretched woman, whom unhappy howre 

Hath now made thrall to your commandement, 

Before that angry heavens list 3 to lowre, 4 

And fortune false betraide me to thy powre, 

Was (O! what now availeth that I was?) 

Borne the sole daughter of an Emperour, 

He that the wide West under his rule has, 

And high hath set his throne where Tiberis doth pas. 

i Split. 2 Hurry. 3 It pleased. * Threaten. 



Canto II] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 17 

23. 'He, in the first flowre of my freshest age, 
Betrothed me unto the onely haire 

Of a most mighty king, most rich and sage: 
Was never Prince so faithfull and so faire, 
Was never Prince so meeke and debonaire; 
But ere my hoped day of spousall shone, 
My dearest Lord fell from high honors staire 
Into the hands of hys accursed fone, 1 
And cruelly was slaine; that shall I ever mone. 

24. 'His blessed body, spoild of lively breath, 
Was afterward, I know not how, convaid, 
And fro me hid: of whose most innocent death 
When tidings came to mee, unhappy maid, 

O, how great sorrow my sad soule assaid 2 ! 

Then forth I went his woefull corse to find, 

And many yeares throughout the world I straid, 

A virgin widow, whose deepe wounded mind 

With love long time did languish, as the striken hind. 

[She then fell, she continues, into the power of this Saracen, 
Sans foy, who was the eldest of three brethren, Sans foy (Faith- 
less), Sans loy (Lawless), and Sans joy (Joyless).] 

26. 'In this sad plight, friendlesse, unfortunate, 
Now miserable I, Fidessa, dwell, 
Craving of you, in pitty of my state, 

To doe none ill, if please ye not doe well.' 
He in great passion al this while did dwell, 
More busying his quicke eies her face to view, 
Then his dull eares to heare what shee did tell; 
And said, 'faire lady, hart of flint would rew 
The undeserved woes and sorrowes, which ye shew. 

27. 'Henceforth in safe assuraunce may ye rest, 
Having both found a new friend you to aid, 
And lost an old foe that did you molest; 

' Better new friend then an old foe is said.' 

With chaunge of chear 3 the seeming simple maid 
Let fal her eien, as shamefast, to the earth, 

1 Foes. 2 Tried. 3 Expression of the face. 



18 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

And yeelding soft, in that she nought gainsaid, 

So forth they rode, he feining seemely merth, 

And shee coy lookes: so dainty, they say, maketh derth. 1 

28. Long time they thus together tra veiled; 
Til, weary of their way, they came at last 
Where grew two goodly trees, that faire did spred 
Their armes abroad, with gray mosse overcast; 
And their greene leaves, trembling with every blast, 
Made a calme shadowe far in compasse round: 
The fearefull shepheard, often there aghast, 
Under them never sat, ne wont there sound 

His mery oaten pipe, but shund th' unlucky ground. 

29. But this good knight, soone as he them can spie, 
For the coole shade him thither hastly got : 

For golden Phoebus, now ymounted hie, 

From fiery wheeles of his faire chariot 

Hurled his beame so scorching cruell hot, 

That living creature mote it not abide; 

And his new Lady it endured not. 

There they alight, in hope themselves to hide 

From the fierce heat, and rest their weary limbs a tide. 

30. Faire seemely pleasaunce each to other makes, 
With goodly purposes, there as they sit; 

And in his falsed fancy he her takes 

To be the fairest wight that lived yit; 

Which to expresse he bends his gentle wit: 

And, thinking of those braunches greene to frame 

A girlond for her dainty forehead fit, 

He pluckt a bough; out of whose rifte there came 

Smal drops of gory bloud, that trickled down the same. 

31. Therewith a piteous yelling voice was heard, 
Crying ' O ! spare with guilty hands to teare 
My tender sides in this rough rynd embard; 
But fly, ah! fly far hence away, for feare 
Least to you hap that happend to me heare, 
And to this wretched Lady, my deare love; 

1 Dearaess, the state of being highly esteemed. 



Canto II] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 19 

0, too deare love, love bought with death too deare!' 

Astond he stood, and up his heare did hove 1 ; 

And with that suddein horror could no member move. 

32. At last whenas the dreadfull passion 
Was overpast, and manhood well awake, 
Yet musing at the straunge occasion, 

And doubting much his sence, he thus bespake: 

'What voice of damned Ghost from Limbo lake, 

Or guilefull spright wandring in empty aire, 

Both which fraile men doe oftentimes mistake, 

Sends to my doubtful eares these speaches rare, 2 

And ruefull plaints, me bidding guiltlesse blood to spare?' 

33. Then, groning deep; 'Nor damned Ghost/ (quoth he,) 
'Nor guileful sprite to thee these words doth speake; 
But once a man, Fradubio, now a tree; 

Wretched man, wretched tree? whose nature weake 

A cruell witch, her cursed will to wreake, 

Hath thus trans formd, and plast in open plaines, 

Where Boreas doth blow full bitter bleake, 

And scorching Sunne does dry my secret vaines; 

For though a tree I seme, yet cold and heat me paines.' 

34. 'Say on, Fradubio, then, or man or tree,' 

Quoth then the Knight; 'by whose mischievous arts 

Art thou misshaped thus, as now I see? 

He oft finds med'cine who his griefe imparts, 

But double griefs afflict concealing harts, 

As raging flames who striveth to suppressed 

'The author then/ (said he) 'of all my smarts, 

Is one Duessa, a false sorceresse, 

That many errant knights hath broght to wretchednesse. 

35. In prime of youthly yeares, when corage hott 
The fire of love, and joy of chevalree, 

First kindled in my brest, it was my lott 
To love this gentle Lady, whome ye see 
Now not a Lady, but a seeming tree; 
With whome, as once I rode accompanyde, 

1 Rise. 2 Extraordinary. 



20 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

Me chaunced of a knight encountred bee, 

That had a like faire Lady by his syde; 

Lyke a faire Lady, but did fowle Duessa hyde. 

36. 'Whose forged beauty he did take in hand 
All other Dames to have exceeded farre: 

I in defence of mine did likewise stand, 

Mine, that did then shine as the Morning starre. 

So both to batteill fierce arraunged arre, 

In which his harder fortune was to fall 

Under my speare: such is the dye of warre. 

His Lady, left as a prise martiall, 

Did yield her comely person to be at my call. 

37. 'So doubly lov'd of ladies, unlike faire, 

Th' one seeming such, the other such indeede, 

One day in doubt I cast for to compare 

Whether in beauties glorie did exceede: 

A Rosy girlond was the victors meede. 

Both seemde to win, and both seemde won to bee, 

So hard the discord was to be agreede. 

Fraelissa was as faire as faire mote 1 bee, 

And ever false Duessa seemde as faire as shee. 

38. 'The wicked witch, now seeing all this while 
The doubtfull ballaunce equally to sway, 
What not by right she cast to win by guile; 
And by her hellish science raisd streight way 
A foggy mist that overcast the day, 

And a dull blast, that breathing on her face 

Dimmed her former beauties shining ray, 

And with foule ugly forme did her disgrace: 

Then was she fayre alone, when none was faire in place. 

39. 'Then cride she out, "Fye, fye! deformed wight, 
'Whose borrowed beautie now appeareth plaine 
'To have before bewitched all mens sight: 

'O! leave her soone, or let her soone be slaine." 
Her loathly visage viewing with disdaine, 
Eftsoones I thought her such as she me told, 
1 Might. 



Canto II] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 21 

And would have kild her; but with faigned paine 
The false witch did my wrathfull hand withhold: 
So left her, where she now is turnd to treen 1 mould. 

40. 'Thensforth I tooke Duessa for my Dame, 
And in the witch unweeting 2 joyd long time, 
Ne ever wist but that she was the same; 
Till on a day (that day is everie Prime, 3 

When Witches wont do penance for their crime, 4 ) 

I chaunst to see her in her proper hew, 

Bathing her selfe in origane 4 and thyme: 

A filthy foule old woman I did vew, 

That ever to have toucht her I did deadly rew. 

41. 'Her neather partes misshapen, monstruous, 
Were hidd in water, that I could not see; 
But they did seeme more foule and hideous, 
Then womans shape man would beleeve to bee. 
Thensforth from her most beastly companie 

I gan refraine, in minde to slipp away, 

Soone as appeard safe opportunitie : 

For danger great, if not assurd decay, 

I saw before mine eyes, if I were knowne to stray. 

42. 'The divelish hag by chaunges of my cheare 5 
Perceiv'd my thought; and, drownd in sleepie night, 
With wicked herbes and oyntments did besmeare 
My body all, through charmes and magicke might, 
That all my senses were bereaved quight : 

Then brought she me into this desert waste, 
And by my wretched lovers side me pight; 
Where now, enclosd in wooden wals full faste, 
Banisht from living wights, our wearie daies we waste.' 

43. 'But how long time/ said then the Elfin knight, 
'Are you in this misformed hous to dwell?' 
'We may not chaunge/ (quoth he,) 'this evill plight, 
Till we be bathed in a living well: 
That is the terme prescribed by the spell.' 

1 Of trees. 2 Not knowing, ignorant. 3 Spring. 

4 Wild marjoram . 5 Expression of the face. 



22 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book 1 

'0! how,' sayd he, 'mote I that well out find, 

That may restore you to your wonted well?' 

'Time and suffised fates to former kynd 

Shall us restore; none else from hence may us unbynd.' 

44. The false Duessa, now Fidessa hight, 
Heard how in vaine Fradubio did lament, 

And knew well all was true'. But the good knight, 

Full of sad feare and ghastly dreriment, 1 

When all this speech the living tree had spent, 

The bleeding bough did thrust into the ground, 

That from the blood he might be innocent, 

And with fresh clay did close the wooden wound: 

Then, turning to his Lady, dead with feare her fownd. 

45. Her seeming dead he fownd with feigned feare, 
As all unweeting 2 of that well she knew; 

And paynd himselfe with busie care to reare 

Her out of carelesse swowne. 3 Her eyelids blew, 

And dimmed sight, with pale and deadly hew, 

At last she up gan lift: with trembling cheare 

Her up he tooke, (too simple and too trew) 

And oft her kist. At length, all passed feare, 

He set her on her steede, and forward forth did beare. 

CANTO III 

Forsaken Truth long seekes her love, 

And makes the Lyon mylde; 
Marres blind Devotions mart, and fals 

In hand of leachour vylde. 4 

1. Nought is there under heav'ns wide hollownesse, 
That moves more deare compassion of mind, 
Then beaut ie brought t'unworthie wretchednesse 
Through envies snares, or fortunes freakes unkind. 
I, whether lately through her brightnes blynd, 
Or through alleageance, and fast fealty, 
Which I do owe unto all womankynd, 
Feele my hart perst with so great agony, 
When such I see, that all for pitty I could dy. 

1 Sorrow. 2 Not knowing, ignorant. 3 Swoon. 4 Vile. 



Canto III] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 23 

2. And now it is empassioned 1 so deepe, 
For fairest Unaes sake, of whom I sing, 

That my frayle eies these lines with teares do steepe, 

To thinke how she through guyleful handeling, 

Though true as touch, though daughter of a king, 

Though faire as ever living wight was fayre, 

Though nor in word nor deede ill meriting, 

Is from her knight divorced in despayre, 

And her dew loves deryv'd 2 to that vile witches shayre. 

3. Yet she, most faithfull Ladie, all this while 
Forsaken, wofull, solitarie mayd, 

Far from all peoples preace, 3 as in exile, 

In wildernesse and wastfull deserts strayd, 

To seeke her knight; who, subtily betrayd 

Through that late vision which th' Enchaunter wrought, 

Had her abandond. She, of nought affrayd, 

Through woods and wastnes 4 wide him daily sought; 

Yet wished tydinges none of him unto her brought. 

4. One day, nigh wearie of the yrkesome way, 
From her unhastie beast she did alight; 
And on the grasse her dainty limbs did lay 
In secrete shadow, far from all mens sight: 
From her fayre head her fillet she undight, 5 
And layd her stole aside. Her angels face, 
As the great eye of heaven, shyned bright, 
And made a sunshine in the shady place; 

Did never mortall eye behold such heavenly grace. 

5. It fortuned, out of the thickest wood 

A ramping Lyon rushed suddeinly, i 

Hunting full greedy after salvage 6 blood. 

Soone as the royall virgin he did spy, 

With gaping mouth at her ran greedily, 

To have attonce devourd her tender corse; 

But to the pray when as he drew more ny, 

His bloody rage aswaged with remorse, 

And, with the sight amazd, forgat his furious forse. 

1 Made passionate. 2 Diverted. 3 Crowd. 

4 Wilderness. 5 Took off, undressed. 6 Savage. 



24 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

6. In stead thereof he kist her wearie feet, 
And lickt her lilly hands with fawning tong, 
As he her wronged innocence did weet. 1 
O, how can beautie maister the most strong, 
And simple truth subdue avenging wrong! 
Whose yielded pryde and proud submission, 
Still dreading death, when she had marked long, 
Her hart gan melt in great compassion; 
And drizling teares did shed for pure affection. 

7. 'The Lyon, Lord of everie beast in field,' 
Quoth she, 'his princely puissance doth abate, 
And mightie proud to humble weake does yield, 
Forgetfull of the hungry rage, which late 
Him prickt, in pittie of my sad estate: 
But he, my Lyon, and my noble Lord, 
How does he find in cruell hart to hate 
Her, that him lov'd, and ever most adord 
As the God of my life? why hath he me abhord?' 

8. Redounding 2 teares did choke th' end of her plaint, 
Which softly ecchoed from the neighbour wood; 
And, sad to see her sorrowfull constraint, 
The kingly beast upon her gazing stood: 
With pittie calmd downe fell his angry mood. 
At last, in close hart shutting up her payne, 
Arose the virgin, borne of heavenly brood, 
And to her snowy Palfrey got agayne, 
To seeke her strayed Champion, if she might attayne. 

9. The Lyon would not leave her desolate, 
But with her went along, as a strong gard 
Of her chast person, and a faythfull mate 
Of her sad troubles and misfortunes hard : 
Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward; 
And, when she wakt, he wayted diligent, 
With humble service to her will prepard: 
From her fayre eyes he tooke commandement, 
And ever by her lookes conceived her intent. 

1 Know. 2 Overflowing. 



Canto III] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 25 

[Archimago, disguised as the Red Cross knight, finds Una 
and the lion.] 

26. Ere long he came where Una traveild slow, 
And that wilde champion way ting her besyde; 
Whome seeing such, for dread hee durst not show 
Him selfe too nigh at hand, but turned wyde 
Unto an hil; from whence when she him spyde, 
By his like seeming shield her knight by name 
She weend it was, and towards him gan ride: 
Approaching nigh she wist 1 it was the same; 

And with faire fearefull humblesse towards him shee came: 

27. And weeping said, 'Ah, my long lacked Lord, 
Where have ye bene thus long out of my sight? 
Much feared I to have bene quite abhord, 

Or ought have done, that ye displeasen might, 

That should as death unto my deare heart light: 

For since mine eie your joyous sight did mis, 

My chearefull day is turnd to chearelesse night, 

And eke my night of death the shadow is; 

But welcome now, my light, and shining lampe of blis! ' 

28. He thereto meeting said, 'My dearest Dame, 
Far be it from your thought, and fro 2 my wil, 

To thinke that knighthood I so much should shame, 
As you to leave that have me loved stil, 
And chose in Faery court, of meere goodwil, 
Where noblest knights were to be found on earth. 
The earth shall sooner leave her kindly skil 
To bring forth fruit, and make eternal derth, 3 
Then I leave you, my liefe, 4 yborn of hevenly berth. 

29. 'And sooth 5 to say, why I lefte you so long, 
Was for to seeke adventure in straunge place; 
Where, Archimago said, a felon strong 

To many knights did daily worke disgrace; 
But knight he now shall never more deface : 
Good cause of mine excuse, that mote 6 ye please 

1 Knew. 2 From. 3 Dearth, scarcity. 

4 Love, darling. 5 Truth. 6 May. 



26 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

Well to accept, and evermore embrace 
My faithfull service, that by land and seas 
Have vowd you to defend. Now then, your plaint ap- 
pease.' 

30. His lovely words her seemd due recompence 
Of all her passed paines: one loving howre 
For many yeares of sorrow can dispence; 

A dram of sweete is worth a pound of sowre. 

Shee has forgott how many a woeful stowre 1 

For him she late endurd; she speakes no more 

Of past: true is, that true love hath no powre 

To looken backe; his eies be fixt before. 

Before her stands her knight, for whom she toyld so sore. 

31. Much like, as when the beaten marinere, 
That long hath wandred in the Ocean wide, 
Ofte soust in swelling Tethys saltish teare; 
And long time having tand his tawney hide 

With blustring breath of Heaven, that none can bide, 
And scorching flames of fierce Orions hound; 
Soone as the port from far he has espide, 
His chearfull whistle merily doth sound, 
And Nereus crownes with cups; his mates him pledg 
around. 

32. Such joy made Una, when her knight she found; 
And eke th' enchaunter joyous seemde no lesse 
Then the glad marchant, that does vew from ground 
His ship far come from watrie wildernesse; 
He hurles out vowes, and Neptune oft doth blesse. 
So forth they past; and all the way they spent 
Discoursing of her dreadful late distresse, 
In which he askt her, what the Lyon ment; 
Who told her all that fell, in journey as she went. 

33. They had not ridden far, when they might see 
One pricking towards them with hastie heat, 
Full strongly armd, and on a courser free 
That through his fiersnesse fomed all with sweat, 

1 Trouble, conflict. 



Canto III] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 27 

And the sharpe yron did for anger eat, 

When his hot ryder spurd his chauffed 1 side: 

His looke was sterne, and seemed still to threat 

Cruell revenge, which he in hart did hyde; 

And on his shield Sansloy in bloody lines was dyde. 

34. When nigh he drew unto this gentle payre, 
And saw the Red-crosse which the knight did beare, 
He burnt in fire; and gan eftsoones prepare 
Himselfe to batteill with his couched speare. 
Loth 2 was that other, and did faint through feare, 
To taste th' untryed dint of deadly Steele: 
But yet his Lady did so well him cheare, 
That hope of new good hap he gan to feele; 
So bent his speare, and spurd his horse with yron heele 

35. But that proud Paynim forward came so ferce 
And full of wrath, that, with his sharp-head 3 speare, 
Through vainly crossed shield he quite did perce; 
And, had his staggering steed not shronke for feare, 
Through shield and body eke he should him beare: 
Yet, so great was the puissance of his push, 
That from his sadle quite he did him beare. 
He, tombling rudely downe, to ground did rush, 
And from his gored wound a well of bloud did gush. 

36. Dismounting lightly from his loftie steed, 
He to him lept, in minde to reave 4 his life, 
And proudly said; 'Lo! there the worthie meed 5 
Of him that slew Sansfoy with bloody knife: 
Henceforth his ghost, freed from repining strife, 
In peace may passen over Lethe lake; 

When mourning altars, purgd with enimies life, 

The black infernall Furies doen 6 aslake: 

Life from Sansfoy thou tookst, Sansloy shall from thee take.' 

37. Therewith in haste his helmet gan unlace, 
Till Una cride, 'O! hold that heavie hand, 
Deare Sir, what ever that thou be in place: 
Enough is, that thy foe doth vanquisht stand 

1 Chafed. 2 Unwilling. 3 Sharp-headed. 

4 Take away, bereave of. 5 Recompense. 6 Do. 



28 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

Now at thy mercy : Mercy not withstand; 
For he is one the truest knight alive, 
Though conquered now he lye on lowly land; 
And, whilest him fortune favourd, fayre did thrive 
In bloudy field; therefore, of life him not deprive.' 

38. Her piteous wordes might not abate his rage, 
But, rudely rending up his helmet, would 
Have slayne him streight; but when he sees his age, 
And hoarie head of Archimago old, 
His hasty hand he doth amased hold, 
And halfe ashamed wondred at the sight: 
For the old man well knew he, though untold, 
In charmes and magick to have wondrous might, 
Ne ever wont in field, ne in round lists, to fight: 

39. And said, 'Why Archimago, lucklesse syre, 
What doe I see? what hard mishap is this, 
That hath thee hether brought to taste mine yre? 
Or thine the fault, or mine the error is, 
In stead of foe to wound my friend amis?' 
He answered nought, but in a traunce still lay, 
And on those guilefull dazed eyes of his 
The cloude of death did sit. Which doen away, 
He left him lying so, ne would no lenger stay: 

40. But to the virgin comes; who all this while 
Amased stands, her selfe so mockt to see 
By him, who has the guerdon 1 of his guile, 
For so misfeigning her true knight to bee : 
Yet is she now in more perplexitie, 
Left in the hand of that same Paynim bold, 
From whom her booteth 2 not at all to flie: 
Who, by her cleanly garment catching hold, 
Her from her Palfrey pluckt, her visage to behold. 

41. But her fiers servant, full of kingly aw 
And high disdaine, whenas his soveraine Dame 
So rudely handled by her foe he saw, 
With gaping jawes full greedy at him came, 

i Reward. 2 i t pro fits. 



Canto III] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 29 

And, ramping 1 on his shield, did weene the same 

Have reft away with his sharp rending clawes: 

But he was stout, and lust did now inflame 

His corage more, that from his griping pawes 

He hath his shield redeemd, and forth his swerd he drawes. 

42. O! then, too weake and feeble was the forse 
Of salvage beast his puissance to withstand; 
For he was strong, and of so mightie corse, 
As ever wielded speare in warlike hand. 
And feates of armes did wisely understand. 

Eft soones he perced through his chaufed 2 chest 

With thrilling point of deadly yron brand, 

And launcht his Lordly hart: with death opprest 

He ror'd aloud, whiles life forsooke his stubborne brest. 

43. Who now is left to keepe the forlorne maid 
From raging spoile of lawlesse victors will? 
Her faithfull gard remov'd, her hope dismaid, 
Her selfe a yielded pray to save or spill : 

He now, Lord of the field, his pride to fill, 

With foule reproches and disdaineful spight 

Her vildly entertaines; and, will or nill, 

Beares her away upon his courser light : 

Her prayers nought prevaile, his rage is more of might. 

44. And all the way, with great lamenting paine, 
And piteous plaintes, she filleth his dull eares, 
That stony hart could riven have in twaine; 
And all the way she wetts with flowing teares; 
But he, enrag'd with rancor, 3 nothing heares. 
Her servile beast yet would not leave her so, 
But followes her far off, ne ought he feares 
To be partaker of her wandring woe; 

More mild in beastly kind then that her beastly foe. 

1 Springing. 2 Irritated, raging. 3 Malice. 



30 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 



CANTO VI 



From lawlesse lust by wondrous grace 

Fayre Una is releast: 
Whom salvage nation does adore, 

And learnes her wise beheast. 1 



7. Eternall providence, exceeding thought, 
Where none appeares can make her selfe a way. 
A wondrous way it for this Lady wrought, 
From Lyons clawes to pluck the gryped 2 pray. 
Her shrill outcryes and shrieks so loud did bray, 
That all the woodes and forestes did resownd: 
A troupe of Faunes and Satyres far away 
Within the wood were dauncing in a rownd, 
Whiles old Sylvanus slept in shady arber sownd: 

8. Who, when they heard that pitteous strained voice, 
In haste forsooke their rurall meriment, 

And ran towardes the far rebownded noyce, 
To weet what wight so loudly did lament. 
Unto the place they come incontinent 3 : 
Whom when the raging Sarazin espyde, 
A rude, mishapen, monstrous rablement, 
Whose like he never saw, he durst not byde, 
But got his ready steed, and fast away gan ryde. 

9. The wyld woodgods, arrived in the place, 
There find the virgin, doolfull, desolate, 

With ruffled rayments, and fayre blubbred 4 face, 

As her outrageous foe had left her late; 

And trembling yet through feare of former hate. 

All stand amazed at so uncouth sight, 

And gin to pittie her unhappie state: 

All stand astonied at her beautie bright, 

In their rude eyes unworthie of so wofull plight. 

1 Command. 2 Grasped. 3 Without delay. 4 Swollen from weeping. 



Canto VI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 31 

« 

10. She, more amazd, in double dread doth dwell; 
And every tender part for feare does shake. 
As when a greedy Wolfe, through honger fell, 1 
A seely 2 Lamb far from the flock does take, 
Of whom he meanes his bloody feast to make, 
A Lyon spyes fast running towards him, 

The innocent pray in hast he does forsake; 
Which, quitt 3 from death, yet quakes in every lim 
With chaunge of feare, to see the Lyon looke so grim. 

11. Such fearefull fitt assaid her trembling hart, 
Ne word to speake, ne joynt to move, she had; 
The salvage nation feele her secret smart, 
And read her sorrow in her count 'nance sad; 
Their frowning forheades, with rough homes yclad, 
And rustick horror, all asyde doe lay; 

And, gently grenning, shew a semblance glad 

To comfort her; and, feare to put away, 

Their backward bent knees teach her humbly to obay 

12. The doubtful! Damzell dare not yet committ 
Her single person to their barbarous truth; 
But still twixt feare and hope amazd does sitt, 
Late learnd what harme to hasty trust ensu'th. 
They, in compassion of her tender youth, 
And wonder of her beautie soverayne, 

Are wonne with pitty and unwonted ruth; 
And, all prostrate upon the lowly playne, 
Doe kisse her feete, and fawne on her with count 'nance 
fayne. 

13. Their harts she ghesseth by their humble guise, 
And yieldes her to extremitie of time: 

So from the ground she fearelesse doth arise, 
And walketh forth without suspect 4 of crime. 
They, all as glad as birdes of joyous Pryme, 5 
Thence lead her forth, about her dauncing round, 
Shouting, and singing all a shepheards ryme; 
And with greene braunches strowing all the ground, 
Do worship her as Queene with olive girlond cround. 

1 Fierce. 2 Innocent. 3 Liberated, freed. 4 Suspicion. 5 Morning, dawn. 



32 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

14. And all the way their merry pipes they sound, 
That all the woods with doubled Eccho ring; 
And with their horned feet doe weare the ground, 
Leaping like wanton kids in pleasant Spring. 

So towards old Sylvanus they her bring; 
Who, with the noyse awaked, commeth out 
To weet the cause, his weake steps governing 
And aged limbs on cypresse stadle 1 stout; 
And with an yvie twyne his waste is girt about. 

15. Far off he wonders what them makes so glad; 
Or 2 Bacchus merry fruit they did invent, 3 

Or Cybeles franticke rites have made them mad: 

They, drawing nigh, unto their God present 

That flowre of fayth and beautie excellent. 

The God himselfe, vewing that mirrhour rare, 

Stood long amazd, and burnt in his intent : 

His owne fayre Dryope now he thinkes not faire, 

And Pholoe fowle, when her to this he doth compaire. 

16. The woodborne people fall before her flat, 
And worship her as Goddesse of the wood; 
And old Sylvanus selfe bethinkes not what 
To thinke of wight so fayre, but gazing stood 
In doubt to deeme her borne of earthly brood: 
Sometimes dame Venus selfe he seemes to see; 
But Venus never had so sober mood: 
Sometimes Diana he her takes to be, 

But misseth bow and shaftes, and buskins to her knee. 

17. By vew of her he ginneth to revive 
His ancient love, and dearest Cyparisse; 
And calles to mind his pourtraiture alive, 
How fayre he was, and yet not fayre to this; 
And how he slew with glauncing dart amisse 
A gentle Hynd, the which the lovely boy 
Did love as life, above all worldly blisse; 
For grief e whereof the lad n'ould after joy, 

But pynd away in anguish and selfe-wild 4 annoy. 

i Staff. 2 Either. 3 Find out. 4 Self-willed. 



Canto VI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 33 

18. The wooddy nymphes, faire Hamadryades, 
Her to behold do thither runne apace; 
And all the troupe of light-foot Naiades 
Flocke all about to see her lovely face; 

But, when they vewed have her heavenly grace, 

They envy her in their malitious mind, 

And fly away for feare of fowle disgrace: 

But all the Satyres scorne their woody kind, 

And henceforth nothing faire but her on earth they find. 

19. Glad of such lucke, the luckelesse lucky mayd 
Did her content to please their feeble eyes, 
And long time with that salvage people stayd, 
To gather breath in many miseryes. 

During which time her gentle wit she plyes 

To teach them truth, which worshipt her in vaine, 

And made her th' Image of Idolatryes; 

But when their bootlesse 1 zeale she did restrayne 

From her own worship, they her Asse would worship fayn. 

20. It fortuned, a noble warlike knight 
By just occasion to that forrest came 

To seeke his kindred, and the lignage right 
From whence he tooke his weldeserved name: 
He had in armes abroad wonne muchell fame, 
And fild far landes with glorie of his might : 
Plaine, faithfull, true, and enimy of shame, 
And ever lov'd to fight for Ladies right; 
But in vaine glorious frayes he litle did delight. 

21. A Satyres sonne, yborne in forrest wyld, 
By straunge adventure as it did betyde, 
And there begotten of a Lady myld, 
Fayre Thyamis, the daughter of Labryde; 
That was in sacred bandes of wedlocke tyde 
To Therion, a loose unruly swayne, 

Who had more joy to raunge the forrest wyde, 
And chase the salvage beast with busie payne, 
Then serve his Ladies love, and waste 2 in pleasures vayne. 

1 Unavailing. 2 , Be worn away. 



34 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

[Seeking him in the forest, she is seized and held prisoner 
by a satyr, to whom she bears a son. She then returns to her 
home, but the child is brought up in the forest by the satyr.] 

24. For all he taught the tender ymp 1 was but 
To banish cowardize and bastard feare: 

His trembling hand he would him force to put 

Upon the Lyon and the rugged Beare; 

And from the she Beares teats her whelps to teare; 

And eke wyld roring Buls he would him make 

To tame, and ryde their backes, not made to beare; 

And the Robuckes in flight to overtake, 

That everie beast for feare of him did fly, and quake. 

25. Thereby so fearlesse and so fell 2 he grew, 
That his own syre, and maister of his guise, 
Did often tremble at his horrid vew; 

And oft, for dread of hurt, would him advise 

The angry beastes not rashly to despise, 

Nor too much to provoke; for he would learne 3 

The Lyon stoup to him in lowly wise, 

(A lesson hard) and make the Libbard sterne 

Leave roaring, when in rage he for revenge did earhe 4 . 

26. And for to make his powre approved more, 
Wyld beastes in yron yokes he would compell 5 ; 
The spotted Panther, and the tusked Bore, 
The Pardale 6 swift, and the Tigre cruell, 

The Antelope, and Wolfe both fiers and fell; 
And them constraine in equall teme to draw. 
Such joy he had their stubborne harts to quell, 
And sturdie courage tame with dreadfull aw, 
That his beheast 7 they feared as a tyrans law. < 

27. His loving mother came upon a day 
Unto the woodes, to see her little sonne; 
And chaunst unwares to meet him in the way, 
After his sportes and cruell pastime donne; 

i Child. 2 Fierce. 3 Teach. 4 Yearn. 

5 Drive. 6 Panther. 7 Command. 



Canto VI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 35 

When after him a Lyonesse did runne, 
That roaring all with rage did lowd requere 1 
Her children deare, whom he away had wonne : 
The Lyon whelpes she saw how he did beare, 
And lull in rugged armes withouten childish feare* 

28. The fearefull Dame all quaked at the sight, 
And turning backe gan fast to fly away; 
Untill, with love revokt 2 from vaine affright, 
She hardly yet perswaded was to stay, 

And then to him these womanish words gan say: 

'Ah Satyrane, my dearling and my joy, 

For love of me leave off this dreadfull play; 

To dally thus with death is no fit toy: 

Go, find some other play-fellowes, mine own sweet boy.' 

29. In these and like delightes of bloody game 
He trayned was, till ryper years he raught 3 ; 
And there abode, why 1st any beast of name 
Walkt in that forrest, whom he had not taught 
To feare his force: and then his courage haught 4 
Desyrd of forreine foemen to be knowne, 

And far abroad for straunge adventures sought; 

In which his might was never overthrowne; 

But through al Faery lond his famous worth was blown. 

30. Yet evermore it was his maner faire, 
After long labours and adventures spent, 
Unto those native woods for to repaire, 
To see his syre and ofspring auncient. 
And now he thither came for like intent; 
Where he unwares the fairest Una found, 
Straunge Lady in so straunge habiliment, 
Teaching the Satyres, which her sat around, 

Trew sacred lore, which from her sweet lips did redound. 

31. He wondred at her wisedome hevenly rare, 
Whose like in womens witt he never knew; 
And, when her curteous deeds he did compare, 
Gan her admire, and her sad sorrowes rew, 

1 Ask back, require. 2 Called back. 3 Reached. 4 High, haughty. 



36 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

Blaming of Fortune, which such troubles threw, 
And joyd to make proofe of her cruelty 
On gentle Dame, so hurtlesse 1 and so trew: 
Thenceforth he kept her goodly company, 
And learnd her discipline of faith and verity. 

32. But she, all vowd unto the Redcrosse Knight, 
His wandring perill closely 2 did lament, 

Ne in this new acquaintaunce could delight; 

But her deare heart with anguish did torment, 

And all her witt in secret counsels spent, 

How to escape. At last in privy wise 

To Satyrane she shewed her intent; 

Who, glad to gain such favour, gan devise, 

How with that pensive Maid he best might thence arise. 

33. So on a day, when Satyres all were gone 
To do their service to Sylvanus old, 
The gentle virgin, left behinde alone, 
He led away with corage stout and bold. 
Too late it was to Satyres to be told, 
Or ever hope recover her againe: 

In vaine he seekes that having cannot hold. 
So fast he carried her with carefull paine, 
That they the woods are past, and come now to the 
plaine. 

[Satyrane meets Sansloy. While they are fighting, Una makes 
her escape, pursued by Archimago.] 

CANTO VII 

The Redcrosse knight is captive made 
By Gyaunt proud opprest: 

Prince Arthure meets with Una great- 
ly with those newes distrest. 

1. What man so wise, what earthly witt so ware, 3 
As to discry the crafty cunning traine, 
By which deceipt doth maske in visour faire, 
And cast her coulours, died deepe in graine, 

1 Harmless. 2 Secretly. 3 Wary. 



Canto VII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 37 

To seeme like truth, whose shape she well can faine, 
And fitting gestures to her purpose frame, 
The guiltlesse man with guile to entertaine? 
Great maistresse of her art was that false Dame, 
The false Duessa, cloked with Fidessaes name. 

2. Who when, returning from the drery Night, 
She fownd not in that perilous hous of Pryde, 
Where she had left the noble Redcrosse knight, 
Her hoped pray, she would no lenger byde, 
But forth she went to seeke him far and wide. 
Ere long she fownd, whereas he wearie sate 
To reste him selfe foreby 1 a fountaine syde, 
Disarmed all of yron-coted Plate; 

And by his side his steed the grassy forage ate. 

3. Hee feedes upon the cooling shade, and bayes 2 
His sweatie forehead in the breathing wynd, 

Which through the trembling leaves full gently playes, 

Wherein the chearefull birds of sundry kynd 

Doe chaunt sweet musick to delight his mynd. 

The witch approching gan him fayrely greet, 

And with reproch of carelesnes unkynd 

Upbrayd, for leaving her in place unmeet, 

With fowle words temp ring faire, soure gall with hony sweet. 

4. Unkindnesse past, they gan of solace treat, 
And bathe in pleasaunce of the joyous shade, 

^ Which shielded them against the boyling heat, 
And with greene boughes decking a gloomy glade, 
About the fountaine like a girlond made; 
Whose bubbling wave did ever freshly well, 
Ne ever would through fervent 3 sommer fade: 
The sacred Nymph, which therein wont to dwell, 
Was out of Dianes favor, as it then befell. 

5. The cause was this: one day, when Phcebe fayre 
With all her band was following the chace, 

This nymph, quite tyr'd with heat of scorching ayre, 
Satt downe to rest in middest of the race: 






» Beside. 2 Bathes. 3 Hot. 



38 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

The goddesse wroth gan fowly her disgrace, 

And badd the waters, which from her did flow, 

Be such as she her selfe was then in place. 

Thenceforth her waters wexed 1 dull and slow, 

And all that drinke thereof, do faint and feeble grow. 

6. Hereof this gentle knight unweeting was; 
And lying downe upon the sandie graile, 2 
Dronke of the streame, as cleare as christall glas: 
Eftsoones his manly forces gan to fayle, 

And mightie strong was turnd to feeble frayle. 
His chaunged powres at first them selves not felt; 
"Till crudled 3 cold his corage gan assayle, 
And cheareful blood in fayntnes chill did melt, 
Which like a fever fit through all his bodie swelt. 4 

7. Yet goodly court he made still to his Dame, 
Pourd out in loosnesse on the grassy grownd, 
Both carelesse of his health, and of his fame; 
Till at the last he heard a dreadfull sownd, 

Which through the wood loud bellowing did rebownd, 

That all the earth for terror seemd to shake, 

And trees did tremble. Th' Elfe, therewith astownd, 

Upstarted lightly from his looser make, 5 

And his unready weapons gan in hand to take. 

8. But ere he could his armour on him dight 6 ; 
Or gett his shield, his monstrous, enimy 
With sturdie steps came stalking in his sight, 
An hideous Geaunt, horrible and hye, 

That with his tallnesse seemd to threat the skye; 

The ground eke groned under him for dreed: 

His living like saw never living eye, 

Ne durst behold: his stature did exceed 

The hight of three the tallest sonnes of mortall seed. 

[This giant was the son of Earth and ^Eolus (the Wind).] 

1 Grew. 2 Gravel. 3 Curdled. 

4 Swelled. 5 Mate. 6 Arrange, put on. 



Canto VII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 39 

10. So growen great, through arrogant delight 
Of th ? high descent whereof he was y borne, 

And through presumption of his matchlesse might, 

All other powres and knighthood he did scorne. 

Such now he marcheth to this man forlorne, 

And left to losse; his stalking steps are stayde 

Upon a snaggy Oke, which he had torne 

Out of his mothers bowelles, and it made 

His mortall mace, wherewith his foemen he dismayde. 

11. That, when the knight he spyde, he gan advaunce 

With huge force and insupportable mayne, 1 

And towardes him with dreadfull fury praunce 2 ; 

Who haplesse, and eke hopelesse, all in vaine 

Did to him pace sad battaile to darrayne, 3 

Disarmd, disgraste, and inwardly dismayde; 

And eke so faint in every joynt and vayne, 

Through that fraile fountain which him feeble made, 

That scarsely could he weeld his bootlesse 4 single blade. 

12. The Geaunt strooke so maynly 5 mercilesse, 
That could have overthrowne a sto*y towre; 
And, were not hevenly grace that did him blesse, 
He had beene pouldred all as thin as flowre: 
But he was wary of that deadly stowre, 6 

And lightly lept from underneath the blow: 
Yet so exceeding was the villeins powre, 
That with the winde it did him overthrow, 
And all his sences stound 7 that still he lay full low. 

13. As when that divelish yron Engin, wrought 

In deepest Hell, and framd by Furies skill, 
With windy Nitre and quick Sulphur fraught, 8 
And ramd with bollet rownd, ordaind to kill, 
Conceiveth fyre, the heavens it doth fill 
With thundring noyse, and all the ayre doth choke, 
That none can breath, nor see, nor heare at will, 
Through smouldry cloud of duskish stincking smoke; 
That th' only 9 breath him daunts, who hath escapt the stroke. 

1 Force. 2 Strut. 3 Draw up in line of battle. 4 Useless. 

6 Strongly. 6 Onslaught. 7 Stunned. 8 Freighted. 9 Mere. 



40 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

14. So daunted when the Geaunt saw the knight, 
His heavie hand he heaved up. on hye, 

And him to dust thought to have battred quight, 
Untill Duessa loud to him gan crye, 
' O great Orgoglio ! greatest under skye, 
O! hold thy mortall hand for Ladies sake; 
Hold for my sake, and doe him not to dye, 
But vanquisht thine eternall bondslave make, 
And me, thy worthy meed, 1 unto thy Leman take.' 

15. He hearkned, and did stay from further harmes, 
To gayne so goodly guerdon as she spake: 

So willingly she came into his armes, 

Who her as willingly to grace did take, 

And was possessed of his newfound make. 2 

Then up he tooke the slombred 3 sencelesse corse, 

And, ere he could out of his swowne awake, 

Him to his castle brought with hastie forse, 

And in a Dongeon deepe him threw without remorse. 

16. From that day forth Duessa was his deare, 
And highly honoufd in his haughtie eye: 
He gave her gold and purple pall 4 to weare, 
And triple crowne set on her head full hye, 
And her endowd with royall majestye. 
Then, for to make her dreaded more of men, 
And peoples hartes with awfull terror tye, 

A monstrous beast ybredd in filthy fen 5 

He chose, which he had kept long time in darksom den. 

17. Such one it was, as that renowmed Snake 
Which great Alcides in Stremona slew, 
Long fostred in the filth of Lerna lake: 
Whose many heades, out budding ever new, 
Did breed him endlesse labor to subdew. 
But this same Monster much more ugly was, 
For seven great heads out of his body grew, 
An yron brest, and back of scaly bras, 

And all embrewd in blood his eyes did shine as glas. 

1 Reward. 2 Mate. 3 Sleeping. 4 Mantle. 5 Marsh. 



Canto VII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 41 

18. His tayle was stretched out in wondrous length, 
That to the hous of hevenly gods it raught 1 : 
And with extorted powre, and borrowed strength, 
The everburning lamps from thence it braught, 2 
And prowdly threw to ground, as things of naught; 
And underneath his filthy feet did tread 

The sacred thinges, and holy heastes 3 foretaught. 4 

Upon this dreadfull Beast with sevenfold head 

He sett the false Duessa, for more aw and dread. 

19. The wofull Dwarf e, which saw his maisters fall 
Whiles he had keeping of his grasing steed, 
And valiant knight become a caytive thrall, 
When all was past, tooke\up his forlorne weed; 
His might ie Armour, missing most at need; 
His silver shield, now idle, maisterlesse; 

His poynant 5 speare that many made to bleed, 

The rueful moniments of heavinesse; 

And with them all departes to tell his great distresse. 

20. He had not travaild long, when on the way 
He wofull Lady, wofull Una met, 

Fast flying from that Paynims greedy pray, 

Whilest Satyrane him from pursuit did let 6 : 

Who when her eyes she on the Dwarf had set, 

And saw the signes that deadly tydinges spake, 

She fell to ground for sorrowfull regret, 

And lively _breath her sad brest did forsake; 

Yet might her pitteous hart be seene to pant and quake. 

21. The messenger of so unhappie newes 

Would faine have dyde : dead was his hart within, 

Yet outwardly some little comfort shewes. 

At last, recovering hart, he does begin 

To rubb her temples, and to chaufe her chin, 

And everie tender part does tosse and turne: 

So hardly he the flitted life does win 

Unto her native prison to retourne; 

Then g:ns her grieved ghost 7 thus to lament and mourne: 

1 Reached. 2 Brought. 3 Commands. 4 Taught the contrary of. 
5 Keen. 6 Hinder. 7 Spirit. 



42 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book 1 

22. 'Ye dreary instruments of dolefull sight, 
That doe this deadly spectacle behold, 
Why doe ye lenger feed on loathed light, 
Or liking find to gaze on earthly mould, 
Sith cruell fates the carefull threds unfould, 
The which my life and love together tyde? 
Now let the stony dart of sencelesse cold 
Perce to my hart, and pas through everie side, 
And let eternall night so sad sight fro me hyde. 

23. 'O lightsome day! the lampe of highest Jove, 
First made by him mens wandring wayes to guyde, 
When darknesse he in deepest dongeon drove, 
Henceforth thy hated face for ever hyde, 

And shut up heavens windowes shyning wyde; 

For earthly sight can nought but sorrow breed, 

And late repentance which shall long abyde: 

Mine eyes no more on vanitie shall feed, 

But seeled up with death shall have their deadly meed.' 

24. Then downe againe she fell unto the ground, 
But he her quickly reared up againe : 

Thrise did she sinke adowne in deadly swownd, 

And thrise he her reviv'd with busie paine. 

At last when life recovered had the raine, 1 

And over-wrestled his strong enimy, 

With foltring tong, and trembling everie vaine, 

'Tell on/ (quoth she) 'the wofull Tragedy, 

The which these reliques sad present unto mine eye. 

25. 'Tempestuous fortune hath spent all her spight, 
And thrilling sorrow throwne his utmost dart : 
Thy sad tong cannot tell more heavy plight 
Then that I fcele, and harbour in mine hart: 
Who hath endur'd the whole can beare ech part. 
If death it be, it is not the first wound 

That launched 2 hath my brest with bleeding smart. 

Begin, and end the bitter balefull 3 stound 4 ; 

If lesse then that I feare, more favour I have found.' 

1 Rein, mastery. 2 Lanced, pierced. 3 Woeful. 4 Amazement. 



Canto VII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 43 

26. Then gan the Dwarf e the whole discourse declare; 
The subtile traines of Archimago old; 

The wanton loves of false Fidessa fayre, 
Bought with the blood of vanquisht Paynim bold; 
The wretched payre transformd to treen 1 mould; 
The house of Pryde, and perilles round about; 
The combat which he with Sans joy did hould; 
The lucklesse conflict with the Gyaunt stout, 
Wherein captiv'd, of life or death he stood in doubt. 

27. She heard with patience all unto the end, 
And strove to maister sorrowfull assay, 2 
Which greater grew the more she did contend, 
And almost rent her tender hart in tway 3 ; 
And love fresh coles unto her fire did lay; 
For greater love, the greater is the losse. 
Was never Lady loved dearer day 

Then she did love the knight of the Redcrosse, 

For whose deare sake so many troubles her did tosse. 

28. At last when fervent sorrow slaked was, 
She up arose, resolving him to find 

Alive or dead; and forward fortk doth pas, 

All as the Dwarf e the way to her assynd 4 ; 

And evermore, in constant carefull mind, 

She fedd her wound with fresh renewed bale. 5 

Long tost with stormes, and bet with bitter wind, 

High over hills, and lowe adowne the dale, 

She wandred many a wood, and measurd many a vale. 

29. At last she chaunced by good hap to meet 
A goodly knight, faire marching by the way, 
Together with his Squyre, arayed meet: 
His glitterand armour shined far away, 

Like glauncing light of Phoebus brightest ray; 
From top to toe no place appeared bare, 
That deadly dint of Steele endanger may. 
Athwart his brest a bauldrick 6 brave he ware, 
That shind, like twinkling stars, with stones most pretious 
rare. 

1 Of trees. 2 Trial, affliction. 3 Twain. 4 p i nte d out. 5 Woe. 6 Belt. 



44 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I | 

30. And in the midst thereof one pretious stone 

Of wondrous worth, and eke of wondrous mights, 
Shapt like a Ladies head, exceeding shone, 
Like Hesperus emongst the lesser lights, 
And strove for to amaze the weaker sights : 
Thereby his mortall blade full comely hong 
In yvory sheath, ycarv'd with curious slights, 1 
Whose hilts were burnisht gold, and handle strong 
Of mother perle; and buckled with a golden tong. 

31. His haughtie Helmet, horrid 2 all with gold, 

Both glorious brightnesse and great terrour bredd : 

For all the crest a Dragon did enfold 

With greedie pawes, and over all did spredd 

His golden winges: his dreadfull hideous hedd, 

Close couched on the bever, seemd to throw 

From flaming mouth bright sparckles fiery redd, 

That suddeine horrour to faint hartes did show; 

And scaly tayle was stretcht adowne his back full low. 

32. Upon the top of all his loftie crest, 

A bounch of heares discolourd diversly, 

With sprincled pearle and gold full richly drest, 

Did shake, and seemd to daunce for jollity, 

Like to an almond tree ymounted hye 

On top of greene Selinis all alone, 

With blossoms brave bedecked daintily; 

Whose tender locks do tremble every one 

At everie little breath that under heaven is blowne. 

33. His warlike shield all closely cover'd was, 
Ne might of mortall eye be ever seene; 
Not made of Steele, nor of enduring bras, 
Such earthly mettals soon consumed beene, 3 
But all of Diamond perfect pure and cleene 
It framed was, one massy entire mould, 

Hewen out of Adamant rocke with engines keene, 

That point of speare it never percen could, 

Ne dint of direfull sword divide the substance would. 

1 Devices. 2 Rough. 3 Are. 



Canto VII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 45 

34. The same to wight he never wont disclose, 
But whenas monsters huge he would dismay, 
Or daunt unequall armies of his foes, 

Or when the flying heavens he would affray; 

For so exceeding shone his glistring ray, 

That Phoebus golden face it did attaint, 

As when a cloud his beames doth over-lay; 

And silver Cynthia wexed pale and faynt, 

As when her face is staynd with magicke arts constraint. 

35. No magicke arts hereof had any might, 
Nor bloody wordes of bold Enchaunters call; 
But all that was not such as seemd in sight 
Before that shield did fade, and suddeine fall: 
And when him list the raskall routes appall, 
Men into stones therewith he could transmew, 1 
And stones to dust, and dust to nought at all; 
And, when him list the prouder lookes subdew, 

He would them gazing blind, or turne to other hew. 

36. Ne let it seeme that credence this exceedes; 

For he that made the same was knowne right well 
To have done much more admirable deedes. 
It Merlin was, which whylome 2 did excell 
All living wightes in might of magicke spell : 
Both shield and sword, and armour all he wrought 
For this young Prince, when first to armes he fell 3 ; 
But, when he dyde, the Faery Queene it brought 
To Faerie lond, where yet it may be seene, if sought: 

37. A gentle youth, his dearely loved Squire, 
His speare of heben 4 wood behind him bare, 
Whose harmeful head, thrise heated in the fire, 
Had riven many a brest with pikehead square: 
A goodly person, and could menage faire 

His stubborne steed with curbed canon 5 bitt, 
Who under him did trample as the aire, 
And chauft that any on his backe should sitt: 
The yron rowels into frothy fome he bitt. 

1 Transmute. 2 Formerly. 3 Took up, entered upon. 

4 Ebony. 5 Curved round bit. 



46 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

3$. Whenas this knight nigh to the Lady drew, 
With lovely court he gan her entertaine; 
But, when he heard her answers loth, he knew 
Some secret sorrow did her heart distraine 1 ; 
Which to allay, and calme her storming paine, 
Faire feeling words he wisely gan display, 
And for her humor fitting purpose faine, 
To tempt the cause it selfe for to bewray, 2 
Wherewith enmovd, these bleeding words she gan to say. 

39. ' What worlds delight, or joy of living speach, 
Can hart, so plungd in sea of sorrowes deep, 
And heaped with so huge misfortunes, reach? 
The carefull cold beginneth for to creep, 
And in my heart his yron arrow steep, 
Soone as I thinke upon my bitter bale. 

Such helplesse harmes yts 3 better hidden keep, 

Then rip up griefe where it may not availe : 

My last left comfort is my woes to weepe and waile.' 

40. 'Ah Lady deare/ quoth then the gentle knight, 
'Well may I ween your griefe is wondrous great; 
For wondrous great griefe groneth in my spright, 
Whiles thus I heare you of your sorrowes treat. 
But, woefull Lady, let me you intrete, 

For to unfold the anguish of your hart : 

Mishaps are maistred by advice discrete, 

And counsell mitigates the greatest smart : 

Found never help who never would his hurts impart.' 

41. 'O, but/ (quoth she) '" great griefe will not be tould, 
And can more easily be thought then said/ 
'Right so,' (quoth he) 'but he that never would 
Could never: will to might gives greatest aid.' 
'But griefe/ (quoth she) 'does greater grow displaid, 
If then it find not helpe, and breeds despaire.' 
'Despaire breeds not/ (quoth he ) 'where faith is staid.' 
'No faith so fast/ (quoth she) 'but flesh does paire. 4 ' 
'Flesh may empaire/ (quoth he) 'but reason can repaire.' 

1 Torment. 2 Betray, reveal. 3 It is. 4 Impair. 



Canto VII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 47 

42. His goodly reason, and well-guided speach, 
So deepe did settle in her gracious thought, 
That her perswaded to disclose the breach 
Which love and fortune in her heart had wrought; 
And said; 'Faire Sir, I hope good hap hath brought 
You to inquere the secrets of my griefe, 

Or that your wisedome will direct my thought, 

Or that your prowesse can me yield relief e : 

Then, heare the story sad, which I shall tell you brief e. 

43. 'The forlorne Maiden, whom your eies have seene 
The laughing stocke of fortunes mockeries, 

Am th' onely daughter of a King and Queene, 

Whose parents deare, whiles equal destinies 

Did ronne about, and their felicities 

The favourable heavens did not envy, 

Did spred their rule through all the territories, 

Which Phison and Euphrates floweth by, 

And Gehons golden waves doe wash continually: 

44. 'Till that their cruell cursed enemy, 

An huge great Dragon, horrible in sight, 

Bred in the loathly lakes of Tartary, 

With murdrous ravine, and devouring might, 

Their kingdome spoild, and countrey wasted quight : 

Themselves, for feare into his jawes to fall, 

He forst to castle strong to take their flight; 

Where, fast embard 1 in mighty brasen wall, 

He has them now fowr years besiegd to make them thrall. 

45. 'Full many knights, adventurous and stout, 
Have enterpriz'd that Monster to subdew: 
From every coast that heaven walks about 
Have thither come the noble Martial crew, 
That famous harde atchievements still pursew; 
Yet never any could that girlond win, 

But all still shronke, and still he greater grew: 
All they, for want of faith, or guilt of sin, 
The pitteous pray of his tiers cruelty have bin. 



48 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I j W 

46. 'At last, yled with far reported praise, 
Which flying fame throughout the world had spred. 
Of doughty knights, whom Faery land did raise, 
That noble order hight 1 of maidenhed, 2 
Forthwith to court of Gloriane I sped, 
Of Gloriane, great Queene of glory bright, 
Whose kingdomes seat Cleopolis is red 3 ; 
There to obtaine some such redoubted knight, 
That Parents deare from tyrants powre deliver might. 

47. 'Yt was my chaunce (my chaunce was faire and good) 
There for to find a fresh unproved knight; 
Whose manly hands imbrewd in guilty blood 
Had never beene, ne ever by his might 
Had throwne to ground the unregarded right: 
Yet of his prowesse proofe he since hath made 
(I witnes am) in many a cruell fight; 

The groning ghosts of many one dismaide 
Have felt the bitter dint of his avenging blade. 

48. 'And ye, the forlorne reliques of his powre, 
His biting sword, and his devouring speare, 
Which have endured many a dreadfull stowre, 4 
Can speake his prowesse that did earst you beare, 
And well could rule; now he hath left you heare 
To be the record of his ruefull losse, 

And of my dolefull disaventurous deare. 
O! heavie record of the good Redcrosse, 
Where have yee left your lord that could so well you tosse? 

49. 'Well hoped I, and faire beginnings had, 
That he my captive languor should redeeme: 
Till, all unweeting, an Enchaunter bad 

His sence abusd, and made him to misdeeme 

My loyalty, not such as it did seeme, 

That rather death desire then such despight. 5 

Be judge, ye heavens, that all things right esteeme, 

How I him lov'd, and love with all my might. 

So thought I eke of him, and think I thought aright. 

1 Named. 2 Maidenhood. 3 Known. 4 Conflict. 6 Aversion. 



Canto VIII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 49 

50. 'Thenceforth me desolate he quite forsooke, 
To wander where wilde fortune would me lead, 
And other bywaies he himselfe betooke, 
Where never foote of living wight did tread, 
That brought not backe the balefull body dead: 
In which him chaunced false Duessa meete, 
Mine onely foe, mine onely deadly dread; 

Who with her witchcraft, and misseeming sweete, 
Inveigled him to follow her desires unmeete. 

51. 'At last, by subtile sleights 1 she him betraid 
Unto his foe, a Gyaunt huge and tall; 
Who him disarmed, dissolute, dismaid, 
Unwares surprised, and with mighty mall 2 
The monster mercilesse him made to fall, 
Whose fall did never foe before behold : 

And now in darkesome dungeon, wretched thrall, 

Remedilesse for aie he doth him hold. 

This is my cause of grief e, more great then may be told. 

52. Ere she had ended all she gan to faint: 
But he her comforted and faire bespake: 
'Certes, 3 Madame, ye have great cause of plaint; 
That stoutest heart, I weene, could cause to quake: 
But be of cheare, and comfort to you take; 

For till I have acquitt 4 your captive knight, 

Assure your selfe I will you not forsake.' 

His chearefull words reviv'd her chearelesse spright, 

So forth they went, the Dwarfe them guiding ever right. 

CANTO VIII 

Faire virgin, to redeeme her deare, 

Brings Arthure to the fight: 
Who slayes the Gyaunt, wounds the beast, 

And strips Duessa quight. 

1. Ay me! how many perils doe enfold 

The righteous man, to make him daily fall, 
Were not that heavenly grace doth him uphold, 
And stedfast truth acquite him out of all. 

1 Devices. 2 Club. 3 Truly, certainly. 4 Released. 



50 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

Her love is firme, her care continuall, 

So oft as he, through his own foolish pride 

Or weaknes, is to sinfull bands made thrall: 

Els should this Redcrosse knight in bands have dyde, 

For whose deliverance she this Prince doth thither guyd. 

2. They sadly traveild thus, untill they came 
Nigh to a castle builded strong and hye: 

Then cryde the Dwarfe, 'Lo! yonder is the same, 

In which my Lord, my liege, doth lucklesse ly 

Thrall to that Gyaunts hatefull tyranny: 

Therefore, deare Sir, your mightie powres assay.' 

The noble knight alighted by and by 

From loftie steed, and badd the Ladie stay, 

To see what end of fight should him befall that day. 

3. So with his Squire, th' admirer of his might, 
He marched forth towardes that castle wall, 
Whose gates he fownd fast shutt, ne living wight 
To warde the same, nor answere commers call. 
Then tooke that Squire an home of bugle small, 
Which hong adowne his side in twisted gold 
And tasselles gay. Wyde wonders over all 

Of that same homes great virtues weren told, 
Which had approved bene in uses manifold. 

4. Was never wight that heard that shrilling sownd, 
But trembling feare did feel in every vaine: 
Three miles it might be easy heard arownd, 
And Ecchoes three aunswer'd it self e againe: 

No false enchauntment, nor deceiptfull traine, 

Might once abide the terror of that blast, 

But presently was void 1 and wholly vaine: 

No gate so strong, no locke so firme and fast, 

But with that percing noise flew open quite, or brast. 2 

5. The same before the Geaunts gate he blew, 
That all the castle quaked from the grownd, 
And every dore of freewill open flew. 

The Gyaunt selfe, dismaied with that sownd, 



1 Canto VIII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 51 

Where he with his Duessa dalliaunce fownd, 
In hast came rushing forth from inner bowre, 
With staring countenance sterne, as one astownd, 
And staggering steps, to weet what suddein stowre 1 
Had wrought that horror strange, and dar'd his dreaded 
powre. 

6. And after him the proud Duessa came, 
High mounted on her many headed beast, 
And every head with fyrie tongue did flame, 
And every head was crowned on his creast, 
And bloody mouthed with late cruell feast. 
That when the knight beheld, his mightie shild 
Upon his manly arme he soone addrest, 

And at him fiersly flew, with corage fild, 

And eger greedinesse through every member thrild. 

7. Therewith the Gyant buckled him to fight, 
Inflamd with scornefull wrath and high disdaine, 
And lifting up his dreadfull club on hight, 

All armd with ragged snubbes 2 and knottie graine, 

Him thought at first encounter to have slaine. 

But wise and wary was that noble Pere; 

And, lightly leaping from so monstrous maine, 3 

Did fayre avoide the violence him nere: 

It booted nought to thinke such thunderbolts to beare. 

8. Ne shame he thought to shonne so hideous might : 
The ydle stroke, enforcing furious way, 

Missing the marke of his misaymed sight, 
Did fall to ground, and with his heavy sway 
So deepely dinted in the driven clay, 
That three yardes deepe a furrow up did throw. 
The sad earth, wounded with so sore assay, 
Did grone full grievous underneath the blow, 
And trembling with strange feare did like an erthquake 
show: 

9. As when almightie Jove, in wrathfull mood, 
To wreake the guilt of mortall sins is bent, 

1 Confusion, conflict. 2 Snags. 3 Force. 



52 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

Hurles forth his thundring dart with deadly food 

Enrold in flames, and smouldring dreriment, 1 

Through riven cloudes and molten firmament; 

The fiers threeforked engin, making way, 

Both loftie towres and highest trees hath rent, 

And all that might his angry passage stay; 

And, shooting in the earth, castes up a mount of clay. 

10. His boystrous 2 club, so buried in the grownd, 
He could not rearen up againe so light, 

But that the Knight him at advantage fownd; 

And, whiles he strove his combred clubbe to quight 

Out of the earth, with blade all burning bright 

He smott off his left arme, which like a block 

Did fall to ground, deprived of native might: 

Large streames of blood out of the truncked stock 

Forth gushed, like fresh water streame from riven rocke. 

11. Dismayed with so desperate deadly wound, 
And eke impatient of unwonted payne, 

He loudly brayd with beastly yelling sownd, 

That all the fieldes rebellowed againe. 

As great a noyse, as when in Cymbrian plaine 

An heard of Bulles, whom kindly rage doth sting, 

Doe for the milky mothers want complaine, 

And fill the fieldes with troublous bellowing: 

The neighbor woods arownd with hollow murmur ring. 

12. That when his deare Duessa heard, and saw 
The evil stownd 3 that daungerd her estate, 
Unto his aide she hastily did draw 

Her dreadfull beast; who, swolne with blood of late, 
Came ramping 4 forth with proud presumpteous gate, 
And threatned all his heades like flaming brandes. 
But him the Squire made quickly to retrate, 
Encountring fiers with single sword in hand; 
And twixt him and his Lord did like a bulwarke 
stand. 

1 Grief. 2 .Big. 3 Astonishment, amazement. 4 Springing. 



Canto VIII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 53 

13. The proud Duessa, full of wrathfull spight, 
And fiers disdaine to be affronted so, 
Enforst her purple beast with all her might, 
That stop out of the way to overthroe, 
Scorning the let 1 of so unequall foe: 

But nathemore 2 would that corageous swayne 

To her yeeld passage gainst his Lord to goe, 

But with outrageous strokes did him restraine, 

And with his body bard the way atwixt them twaine. 

14. Then tooke the angrie witch her golden cup, 
Which still she bore, replete with magick artes; 
Death and despeyre did many thereof sup, 
And secret poyson through their inner partes, 
Th' eternall bale of heavie wounded harts: 
Which, after charmes and some enchauntments said, 
She lightly sprinkled on his weaker partes: 
Therewith his sturdie corage soon was quayd, 3 

And all his sences were with suddein dread dismayd. 

15. So downe he fell before the cruell beast, 
Who on his neck his bloody clawes did seize, 
That life nigh crusht out of his panting brest: 
No powre he had to stirre, nor will to rize. 
That when the carefull knight gan well avise, 4 
He lightly left the foe with whom he fought, 
And to the beast gan turne his enterprise 5 ; 
For wondrous anguish in his hart it wrought, 

To see his loved Squyre into such thraldom brought: 

16. And, high advauncing his blood-thirstie blade, 
Stroke one of those deformed heades so sore, 
That of his puissaunce proud ensample made: 
His monstrous scalpe downe to his teeth it tore, 
And that misformed shape misshaped more. 

A sea of blood gusht from the gaping wownd, 
That her gay garments staynd with filthy gore, 
And overflowed all the field arownd, 
That over shoes in blood he waded on the grownd. 

1 Hindrance. 2 Not the more. 3 Quailed. 4 Perceive. 5 Energy. 



54 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

17. Thereat he rored for exceeding paine, 

That to have heard great horror would have bred; 

And scourging th' emptie ayre with his long trayne, 

Through great impatience of his grieved hed, 

His gorgeous ryder from her loftie sted 

Would have cast downe, and trodd in durty myre, 

Had not the Gyaunt soone her succoured; 

Who, all enrag'd with smart and frantick yre, 

Came hurtling 1 in full fiers, and forst the knight retyre. 

18. The force, which wont in two to be disperst, 
In one alone left hand he now unites, 

Which is through rage more strong then both were erst; 

With which his hideous club aloft he dites, 2 

And at his foe with furious rigor smites, 

That strongest Oake might seeme to overthrow. 

The stroke upon his shield so heavie lites, 

That to the ground it doubleth him full low: 

What mortall wight could ever beare so monstrous blow? 

19. And in his fall his shield, that covered was, 
Did loose his vele by chaunce, and open flew; 
The light whereof, that hevens light did pas, 
Such blazing brightnesse through the ayer threw, 
That eye mote not the same endure to vew. 
Which when the Gyaunt spyde with staring eye, 
He downe let fall his arme, and soft withdrew 
His weapon huge, that heaved was on hye 

For to have slain the man, that on the ground did lye. 

20. And eke the fruitfull-headed beast, amazd 
At flashing beames of that sunshiny shield, 
Became stark blind, and all his sences dazd, 
That downe he tumbled on the durtie field, 
And seemd himself e as conquered to yield. 

Whom when his maistresse proud perceiv'd to fall, 
Whiles yet his feeble feet for faintnesse reeld, 
Unto the Gyaunt lowdly she gan call; 
'O! helpe, Orgoglio; helpe! or els we perish all.' 

1 Rushing headlong. 2 Prepares, raises. 



Canto VIII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 55 

21. At her so pitteous cry was much amoov'd 

Her champion stout; and for to ayde his frond, 

Againe his wonted angry weapon proov'd, 

But all in vaine, for he has redd his end 

In that bright shield, and all their forces spend 

Them selves in vaine: for, since that glauncing sight, 

He hath no powre to hurt, nor to defend. 

As where th' Almighties lightning brond 1 does light, 

It dimmes the dazed eyen, and daunts the sences quight. 

22. Whom when the Prince, to batteill new addrest 
And threatning high his dreadfull stroke, did see, 
His sparkling blade about his head he blest, 2 
And smote off quite his right leg by the knee, 
That downe he tombled; as an aged tree, 

High growing on the top of rocky clift, 

Whose hartstrings with keene Steele nigh hewen be; 

The mightie trunck, halfe rent with ragged rift, 

Doth roll adowne the rocks, and fall with fearefull drift. 

23. Or as a Castle, reared high and round, 
By subtile engins and malitious slight 3 
Is undermined from the lowest ground, 
And her foundation forst, and feebled quight, 
At last downe falles; and with her heaped hight 
Her hastie ruine does more heavie make, 

And yields it selfe unto the victours might. 

Such was this Gyaunts fall, that seemd to shake 

The stedfast globe of earth, as it for feare did quake. 

24. The knight, then lightly leaping to the pray, 
With mortall Steele him smot againe so sore, 
That headlesse his unweldy bodie lay, 

All wallowd in his owne fowle bloody gore, 
Which flowed from his wounds in wondrous store. 
But, soone as breath out of his brest did pas, 
That huge great body, which the Gyaunt bore, 
Was vanisht quite; and of that monstrous mas 
Was nothing left, but like an emptie blader was. 

1 Brand. 2 Brandish. 3 Device. 



56 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

25. Whose grievous fall when false Duessa spyde, 
Her golden cup she cast unto the ground, 
And crowned mitre rudely threw asyde: 

Such percing griefe her stubborne hart did wound, 

That she could not endure that dolefull stound, 

But leaving all behind her fled away: 

The light-foot Squyre her quickly turnd around, 

And, by hard meanes enforcing her to stay* 

So brought unto his Lord as his deserved pray. 

26. The roiall Virgin which beheld from farre, 
In pensive plight and sad perplexitie, 

The whole atchievement of this doubtfull warre- 

Came running fast to greet his victorie, 

With sober gladnesse and myld modestie; 

And with sweet joyous cheare him thus bespake: 

' Fayre braunch of noblesse, flowre of chevalrie, 

That with your worth the world amazed make, 

How shall I quite the paynes ye suffer for my sake? 

27. 'And you, fresh budd of vertue springing fast, 
Whom these sad eyes saw nigh unto deaths dore, 
What hath poore Virgin for such perill past 
Wherewith you to reward? Accept therefore 
My simple selfe, and service evermore: 

And he that high does sit, and all things see 
With equall eye, their merites to restore, 
Behold what ye this day have done for mee, 
And what I cannot quite requite with usuree. 

28. ' But sith 1 the heavens, and your faire handeling, 
Have made you master of the field this day, 
Your fortune maister eke with governing, 

And, well begonne, end all so well, I pray! 

Ne let that wicked woman scape away; 

For she it is, that did my Lord bethrall, 

My dearest Lord, and deepe in dongeon lay, 

Where he his better dayes hath wasted all: 

O heare, how piteous he to you for ayd does call! 



Canto VIII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 57 

29. Forthwith he gave in charge unto his Squyre, 
That scarlot whore to keepen carefully; 
Whyles he himselfe with greedie great desyre 
Into the Castle entred forcibly, 

Where living creature none he did espye. 
■ Then gan he lowdly through the house to call; 
But no man car'd to answere to his crye: 
There raignd a solemne silence over all; 
Nor voice was heard, nor wight was seene in bowre or hall. 

30. At last, with creeping crooked pace forth came 
An old old man, with beard as white as snow, 
That on a staff e his feeble steps did frame, 
And guyde his wearie gate both too and fro, 
For his eye sight him fay led long ygo; 

And on his arme a bounch of keyes he bore, 

The which unused rust did overgrow : 

Those were the keyes of every inner dore; 

But he could not them use, but kept them still in store. 

31. But very uncouth sight was to behold, 
How he did fashion his untoward 1 pace; 
For as he forward moovd his footing old, 

So backward still was turnd his wrincled face: 
Unlike to men, who ever, as they trace, 
Both feet and face one way are wont to lead. 
This was the auncient keeper of that place, 
And foster father of the Gyaunt dead; 
His name Ignaro did his nature right aread. 2 

32. His reverend heares and holy gravitee 

The knight much honord, as beseemed well; 
And gently askt, where all the people bee, 
Which in that stately building wont to dwell: 
Who answerd him full soft, he could not tell. 
Again he askt, where that same knight was layd, 
Whom great Orgoglio with his puissaunce fell 
Had made his caytive thrall : againe he sayde, 
He could not tell: ne ever other answere made. 

1 Uncouth. 2 Tell, express. 



58 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

33. Then asked he, which way he in might pas? 
He could not tell, againe he answered. * 
Thereat the courteous knight displeased was, 
And said; 'Old syre, it seemes thou hast not red 
How ill it sits with that same silver hed, 

In vaine to mocke, or mockt in vaine to bee 
But if thou be, as thou art pourtrahed 
With natures pen, in ages grave degree, 
Aread in graver wise what I demaund of thee. 

34. His answere likewise was, he could not tell: 
Whose sencelesse speach, and doted ignorance, 
Whenas the noble Prince had marked well, 
He ghest his nature by his countenance, 

And calmd his wrath with goodly temperance. 
Then, to him stepping, from his arme did reach 
Those keyes, and made himself e free enterance. 
Each dore he opened without any breach l ; 
There was no barre to stop, nor foe him to empeach. 2 

35. There all within full rich arayd he found, 
With royall arras, and resplendent gold, 
And did with store of every thing abound, 
That greatest Princes presence might behold. 
But all the floore (too filthy to be told) 

With blood of guiltlesse babes, and innocents trew, 
Which there were slaine as sheepe out of the fold, 
Defiled was, that dreadfull was to vew; 
And sacred ashes over it was strowed new. 

36. And there beside of marble stone was built 
An Altare, carv'd with cunning ymagery, 

On which trew Christians blood was often spilt, 

And holy Marty res often doen 3 to dye 

With cruell malice and strong tyranny: 

Whose blessed sprites, from underneath the stone, 

To God for vengeance cryde continually; 

And with great griefe were often heard to grone, 

That hardest heart would bleede to hear their piteous mone. 

1 Quarrel, trouble. 2 Hinder. 3 Made, compelled. 



Canto VIII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 59 

37. Through every rowme he sought, and everie bowr, 
But no where could he find that wofull thrall: 

At last he came unto an yron doore, 

That fast was lockt, but key found not at all 

Emongst that bounch to open it withall; 

But in the same a little grate was pight, 1 

Through which he sent his voyce, and lowd did call 

With all his powre,_to weet if living wight 

Were housed therewithin, whom he enlargen might. 

38. Therewith an hollow, dreary, murmuring voyce 
These piteous plaintes and dolours did resound: 
'O! who is that, which bringes me happy choyce 
Of death, that here lye dying every stound, 2 
Yet live perforce in balefull darkenesse bound? 

For now three Moones have changed thrice their hew, 
And have been thrice hid underneath the ground, 
Since I the heavens chearefull face did vew. 
O! welcome thou, that doest of death bring tydings trew.' 

39. Which when that Champion heard, with percing point 
Of pitty deare his hart was thrilled sore; 

And trembling horrour ran through every joynt, 
For ruth of gentle knight so f owle forlore 3 : 
Which shaking off, he rent that yron dore 
With furious force and indignation fell; 
Where entred in, his foot could find no flore, 
But all a deepe descent, as darke as hell, 
That breathed ever forth a filthie banefull smell. 

40. But nether darkenesse fowle, nor filthy bands, 
Nor noyous 4 smell, his purpose could withhold, 
(Entire affection hateth nicer 5 hands) 

But that with constant zele and corage bold, 

After long paines and labors manifold, 

He found the meanes that Prisoner up to reare; 

Whose feeble thighes, unable to uphold 

His pined corse, him scarse to light could beare; 

A ruefull spectacle of death and ghastly drere. 6 

1 Fixed. 2 Moment. s Forlorn, abandoned. 

4 Annoying. 5 Too fastidious, 6 Grief. 



60 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

41. His sad dull eies, deepe sunck in hollow pits, 
Could not endure th' unwonted sunne to view; 
His bare thin cheekes for want of better bits, 1 
And empty sides deceived of their dew, 
Could make a stony hart his hap to rew; 

His rawbone armes, whose mighty brawned bowrs 2 
Were wont to rive Steele plates, and helmets hew, 
Were clene consumed; and all his vitall powres 
Decayd, and al his flesh shronk up like withered flowres. 

42. Whome when his Lady saw, to him she ran 
With hasty joy: to see him made her glad, 
And sad to view his visage pale and wan, 

Who earst in flowres of freshest youth was clad. 

Tho, when her well of teares she wasted had, 

She said; 'Ah dearest Lord! what evill starre 

On you hath frownd, and pourd his influence bad, 

That of your selfe ye thus berobbed arre, 

And this misseeming hew your manly looks doth marre? 

43. 'But welcome now, my Lord in wele or woe, 
Whose presence I have lackt too long a day: 
And fie on Fortune, mine avowed foe, 

Whose wrathful wreakes 3 them selves doe now alay; 
And for these wronges shall treble penaunce pay 
Of treble good: good growes of evils priefe. 4 ' 
The chearelesse man, whom sorrow did dismay, 
Had no delight to treaten of his grief e; 
His long endured famine needed more relief e. 

44. 'Faire Lady,' then said that victorious knight, 
'The things, that grievous were to doe, or beare, 
Them to renew, I wote, breeds no delight; 

Best musicke breeds delight in loathing eare: 

But th' only good that growes of passed feare 

Is to be wise, and ware of like agein. 

This daies ensample hath this lesson deare 

Deepe written in my heart with yron pen, 

That blisse may not abide in state of mortall men. 

1 Food. 2 Muscles. 3 Revenges. 4 Proof, test. 



Canto IX] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 61 

45. 'Henceforth, Sir knight, take to you wonted strength, 
And maister these mishaps with patient might. 
Loe! where your foe lies strecht in monstrous length; 
And loe! that wicked woman in your sight, 
The roote of all your care and wretched plight, 
Now in your powre, to let her live, or die.' 
'To doe 1 her die,' (quoth Una) 'were despight, 
And shame t 'avenge so weake an enimy; 
But spoile her of her scarlot robe, and let her fly.' 



CANTO IX 



His loves and lignage Arthure tells: 
The knights knitt friendly bands: 

Sir Trevisan flies from Despeyre, 
Whom Redcros knight withstands. 



20. Thus beene 2 they parted; Arthur on his way 
To seeke his love, and th' other for to fight 
With Unaes foe, that all her realme did pray. 
But she, now weighing the decayed plight 
And shrunken synewes of her chosen knight, 
Would not a while her forward course pursew, 
Ne bring him forth in face of dreadfull fight, 
Till he recovered had his former hew; 

For him to be yet weake and wearie well she knew. 

21. So as they traveild, lo! they gan espy 

An armed knight towards them gallop fast, 
That seemed from some feared foe to fly, 
Or other griesly thing that him aghast. 3 
Still as he fledd his eye was backward cast, 
As if his feare still followed him behynd: 
Als 4 flew his steed as he his bandes had brast, 5 
And with his winged heeles did tread the wynd, 
As he had beene a fole of Pegasus his kynd. 

1 Make, compel. 2 Are. 3 Terrified. 4 So. 5 Burst. 



62 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

22. Nigh as he drew, they might perceive his head 
To bee unarmd, and curld uncombed heares 
Upstaring stifle, dismaid with uncouth dread: 
Nor drop of blood in all his face appeares, 
Nor life in limbe; and, to increase his feares, 
In fowle reproch of knighthoodes fayre degree, 
About his neck an hempen rope he weares, 
That with his glistring armes does ill agree; 
But he of rope or armes has now no memoree. 

23. The Redcrosse knight toward him crossed fast, 
To weet what mister 1 wight was so dismayd. 
There him he findes all sencelesse and aghast, 
That of him selfe he seemd to be afrayd; 
Whom hardly he from flying forward stayd, 
Till he these wordes to him deliver might : 
'Sir knight, aread who hath ye thus arayd, 2 

And eke from whom make ye this hasty flight? * 
For never knight I saw in such misseeming plight.' 

24. He answerd nought at all; but adding new 
Feare to his first amazment, staring wyde 
With stony eyes and hartlesse hollow hew, 
Astonisht stood, as one that had aspyde 
Inf email furies with their chaines untyde. 
Him yett againe, and yett againe, bespake 
The gentle knight; who nought to him replyde; 
But, trembling every joynt, did inly quake, 

And foltring tongue, at last, these words seemd forth to 
shake; 

25. 'For Gods deare love, Sir knight, doe 3 me not stay; 
For loe! he comes, he comes fast after mee.' 

Eft looking back would faine have runne away; 

But he him forst to stay, and tellen free 

The secrete cause of his perplexitie : 

Yet nathemore 4 by his bold hartie speach 

Could his blood frosen hart emboldened bee, 

But through his boldnes rather feare did reach; 

Yett, forst, at last he made through silence suddein breach. 

1 Kind of. 2 Adorned (with the hempen rope). 

3 Make,, compel. 4 Not the more. 



Canto IX] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 63 

26. 'And am I now in safetie sure/ (quoth he) 
'From him that would have forced me to dye? 
And is the point of death now turnd fro mee, 
That I may tell this haplesse history?' 

'Fear nought/ (quoth he) 'no daunger now is nye.' 

'Then shall I you recount a ruefull cace/ 

(Said he) 'the which with this unlucky eye 

I late beheld; and, had not greater grace 

Me reft from it, had bene partaker of the place. 

27. 'I lately chaunst (Would I had never chaunst!) 
With a fayre knight to keepen companee, 

Sir Terwin hight, that well himselfe advaunst 
In all affayres, and was both bold and free; 
But not so happy as mote happy bee: 
He lov'd, as was his lot, a Lady gent, 1 
That him againe lov'd in the least degree; 
For she was proud, and of too high intent, 
And joyd to see her lover languish and lament : 

28. ' From whom retourning sad and comfortlesse, 
As on the way together we did fare, 

We met that villen, (God from him me blesse!) 
That cursed wight, from whom I scapt whyleare, 2 
A man of hell that calls himselfe Despayre: 
Who first us greets, and after fayre areedes 
Of tydinges straunge, and of adventures rare: 
So creeping close, as Snake in hidden weedes, 
Inquireth of our states, and of our knightly deedes. 

29. ' Which when he knew, and felt our feeble harts 
Embost 3 with bale, and bitter byting griefe, 
Which love had launched with his deadly darts, 
With wounding words, and termes of foule repriefe, 4 
He pluckt from us all hope of dew reliefe, 

That earst us held in love of lingring life; 
Then hopelesse, hartlesse, gan the cunning thief e 
Perswade us dye, to stint all further strife: 
To me he lent this rope, to him a rusty knife. 

1 Gentle 2 A while ago. 3 Worn out. 4 Reproof. 



64 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book l| 

30. ' With which sad instrument of hasty death, 
That wofull lover, loathing lenger light, 

A wyde way made to let forth living breath: 

But I, more fearefull or more lucky wight, 

Dismayd with that deformed dismall sight, 

Fledd fast away, halfe dead with dying feare; 

Ne yet assur'd of life by you, Sir knight, 

Whose like infirmity like chaunce may beare; 

But God you never let his charmed speaches heare!' 

31. 'How may a man/ (said he) 'with idle speach 
Be wonne to spoyle the Castle of his health?' 

'I wote,' (quoth he) 'whom tryall late did teach, 
That like would not for all this worldes wealth. 
His subtile tong like dropping honny mealt'h 
Into the heart, and searcheth every vaine; 
That, ere one be aware, by secret stealth 
His powre is reft, and weaknes doth remaine. 
O! never, Sir, desire to try his guilefull traine.' 

32. 'Certes/ (sayd he) 'hence shall I never rest, 
Till I that treachours art have heard and tryde: 
And you, Sir knight, whose name mote I request, 
Of grace do me unto his cabin guyde.' 

'I, that hight 1 Trevisan,' (quoth he) 'will ryde 
Against my liking backe to doe you grace: 
But nor for gold nor glee 2 will I abyde 
By you, when ye arrive in that same place; 
For lever had I die then see his deadly face.' 

33. Ere long they come where that same wicked wight 
His dwelling has, low in an hollow cave, 

For underneath a cragy cliff ypight, 

Darke, dolefull, dreary, like a greedy grave, 

That still for carrion carcases doth crave: 

On top whereof ay dwelt the ghastly Owle, 

Shrieking his balefull note, which ever drave 

Far from that haunt all other chearefull fowle; 

And all about it wandring ghostes did wayle and howle. 

1 Am called. 2 Pleasure. 



Canto IX] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 65 

34. And all about old stockes and stubs of trees, 
Whereon nor fruit nor leafe was ever seene, 
Did hang upon the ragged rocky knees; 

On which had many wretches hanged beene, 

Whose carcases were scattred on the greene, 

And throwne about the cliffs. Arrived there, 

That bare-head knight, for dread and dolefull teene, 

Would faine have fled, ne durst approchen neare; 

But th' other forst him staye, and comforted in feare. 

35. That darksome cave they enter, where they find 
That cursed man, low sitting on the ground, 
Musing full sadly in his sullein mind: 

His griesie lockes, long growen and unbound, 
Disordred hong about his shoulders round, 
And hid his face, through which his hollow eyne 
Lookt deadly dull, and stared as astound; 
His raw-bone cheekes, through penurie and pine, 
Were shronke into his jawes, as he did never dyne. 

36. His garment, nought but many ragged clouts, 
With thornes together pind and patched was, 
The which his naked sides he wrapt abouts; 
And him beside there lay upon the gras 

A dreary corse, whose life away did pas, 

All wallowd in his own yet luke-warme blood, 

That from his wound yet welled fresh, alas! 

In which a rusty knife fast fixed stood, 

And made an open passage for the gushing flood. 

37. Which piteous spectacle, approving trew 
The wofull tale that Trevisan had told, 
Whenas the gentle Redcrosse knight did vew, 
With firie zeale he burnt in courage bold 
Him to avenge before his blood were cold, 
And to the villein sayd; 'Thou damned wight, 
The authour of this fact we here behold, 
What justice can but judge against thee right, 

With thine owne blood to price his blood, here shed in 



66 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

38. 'What franticke fit,' (quoth he) 'hath thus distraught 
Thee, foolish man, so rash a doome to give? 

What justice ever other judgement taught, 
But he should dye who merites not to live? 
None els to death this man despayring drive 
But his owne guiltie mind, deserving death. 
Is then unjust to each his dew to give? 
Or let him dye, that loatheth living breath, 
Or let him die at ease, that liveth here uneath 1 ? 

39. 'Who travailes by the wearie wandring way, 
To come unto his wished home in haste, 

And meetes a flood that doth his passage stay, 

Is not great grace to helpe him over past, 

Or free his feet that in the myre sticke fast? 

Most envious man, that grieves at neighbours good; 

And fond, 2 that joyest in the woe thou hast! 

Why wilt not let him passe, that long hath stood 

Upon the bancke, yet wilt thy selfe not pas the flood? 

40. ' He there does now enjoy eternall rest 

And happy ease, which thou doest want and crave, 

And further from it daily wanderest : 

What if some little payne the passage have, 

That makes frayle flesh to feare the bitter wave, 

Is not short payne well borne, that bringes long ease, 

And layes the soule to sleepe in quiet grave? 

Sleepe after toyle, port after stormie seas, 

Ease after warre, death after life, does greatly please.' 

41. The knight much wondred at his suddeine wit, 
And sayd; 'The terme of life is limited, 

Ne may a man prolong, nor shorten, it : 
The souldier may not move from watchfull sted 3 , 
Nor leave his stand untill his Captaine bed.' 
1 'Who life did limit by almightie doome/ 

(Quoth he) ' knowes best the termes established; 

And he, that points the Centonell his roome, 

Doth license him depart at sound of morning droome.' 

i With difficulty. 2 Foolish. s Place. 



Canto IX] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 67 

42. 'Is not his deed, what ever thing is donne 
In heaven and earth? Did not he all create 
To die againe? All ends that was begonne: 
Their times in his eternall booke of fate 

Are written sure, and have their certein date. 
Who then can strive with strong necessitie, 
That holds the world in his still chaunging state, 
Or shimne the death ordaynd by destinie? 
When houre of death is come, let none aske whence, nor 
why. 

43. 'The lenger life, I wote, the greater sin; 
The greater sin, the greater punishment: 

All those great battels, which thou boasts to win 

Through strife, and blood-shed, and avengement, 

Now praysd, hereafter deare thou shalt repent; 

For life must life, and blood must blood, repay. 

Is not enough thy evill life forespent? 

For he that once hath missed the right way, 

The further he doth goe, the further he doth stray. 

44. 'Then doe no further goe, no further stray, 
But here ly downe, and to thy rest betake, 
Th' ill to prevent, that life ensewen may; 
For what hath life that may it loved make, 
And gives not rather cause it to forsake? 
Feare, sicknesse, age, losse, labour, sorrow, strife, 
Payne, hunger, cold that makes the hart to quake, 
And ever fickle fortune rageth rife; 

All which, and thousands mo, 1 do make a loathsome life. 

45. 'Thou, wretched man, of death hast greatest need, 
If in true ballaunce thou wilt weigh thy state; 

For never knight, that dared warlike deed, 
More luckless dissaventures did amate 2 : 
Witnes the dungeon deepe, wherein of late 
Thy life shutt up for death so oft did call; 
And though good lucke prolonged hath thy date, 
Yet death then would the like mishaps forestall, 
Into the which hereafter thou maist happen fall. 

1 More. 2 Check, confound. 



68 THE FAERIE QVEENE [Book I 

46. 'Why then doest thou, O man of sin! desire 
To draw thy dayes forth to their last degree? 
Is not the measure of thy sinfull hire 
High heaped up with huge iniquitee, 
Against the day of wrath to burden thee? 
Is not enough, that to this Lady mild 
Thou falsed hast thy faith with perjuree, 
And sold thy selfe to serve Duessa vild, 
With whom in al abuse thou hast thy selfe defild? 

47. 'Is not he just, that all this doth behold 
From highest heven, and beares an equall eie? 
Shall he thy sins up in his knowledge fold, 
And guilty be of thine impietie? 
Is not his lawe, Let every sinner die; 
Die shall all flesh? What then must needs be donne, 
Is it not better to doe willinglie, 
Then linger till the glas be all out ronne? 
Death is the end of woes: die soone, O faeries sonne!' 

48. The knight was much enmoved with his speach, 
That as a swords poynt through his hart did perse, 
And in his conscience made a secrete breach, 
Well knowing trew all that he did reherse, 
And to his fresh remembraunce did reverse 
The ugly vew of his deformed crimes; 
That all his manly powres it did disperse, 
As he were charmed with inchaunted rimes; 
That oftentimes he quakt, and fainted oftentimes. 

49. In which amazement when the Miscreaunt 
Perceived him to waver, weake and fraile, 
Whiles trembling horror did his conscience daunt, 
And hellish anguish did his soule assaile; 
To drive him to despaire, and quite to quaile, 
Hee shewd him, painted in a table plaine, 
The damned ghosts that doe in torments waile, 
And thousand feends that doe them endlesse paine 
With fire and brimstone, which for ever shall remaine. 



Canto IX] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 69 

50. The sight whereof so throughly him dismaid, 
That nought but death before his eies he saw, 
And ever burning wrath before him laid, 

By righteous sentence of th' Almighties law. 

Then gan the villein him to overcraw, 1 

And brought unto him swords, ropes, poison, fire, 

And all that might him to perdition draw; 

And bad him choose what death he would desire; 

For death was dew to him that had provokt Gods ire. 

51. But, whenas none of them he saw him take, 
He to him raught a dagger sharpe and keene, 
And gave it him in hand: his hand did quake 
And tremble like a leafe of Aspin greene, 

And troubled blood through his pale face was seene 

To come and goe with tidings from the heart, 

As it a ronning messenger had beene. 

At last, resolv'd to work his finall smart, 

He lifted up his hand, that backe againe did start. 

52. Which whenas Una saw, through every vaine 
The crudled 2 cold ran to her well of life, 

As in a swowne: but, soone reliv'd 3 againe, 

Out of his hand she snatcht the cursed knife, 

And threw it to the ground, enraged rife, 4 

And to him said; 'Fie, fie, faint hearted Knight! 

What meanest thou by this reprochfull strife? 

Is this the battaile which thou vauntst to fight 

With that fire-mouthed Dragon, horrible and bright? 

53. 'Come; come away, fraile, feeble, fleshly wight, 
Ne let vaine words bewitch thy manly hart, 

Ne divelish thoughts dismay thy constant spright: 

In heavenly mercies hast thou not a part? 

Why shouldst thou then despeire, that chosen art? 

Where justice growes, there grows eke greater grace, 

The which doth quench the brond 5 of hellish smart, 

And that accurst hand-writing doth deface. 

Arise, sir Knight; arise, and leave this cursed place.' 

1 Triumph over. 2 Curdled. 3 Revived. 

4 Exceedingly. 5 Brand. 



70 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

54. So up he rose, and thence amounted streight. 
Which when the carle 1 beheld, and saw his guest 
Would safe depart, for all his subtile sleight, 
He chose an halter from among the rest, 
And with it hong him selfe, unbid, unblest. 
But death he could not worke himselfe thereby; 
For thousand times he so him selfe had drest, 
Yet nathelesse 2 it could not doe him die, 
Till he should die his last, that is, eternally. 

CANTO XI 

The knight with that old Dragon fights 

Two days incessantly: 
The third him overthrowes, and gayns 

Most glorious victory. 

1. High time now gan it wex for Una fayre 
To thinke of those her captive Parents deare, 
And their forwasted kingdom to repayre: 
Whereto whenas they now approched neare, 
With hartie wordes her knight she gan to cheare, 
And in her modest maner thus bespake: 
'Deare knight, as deare as ever knight was deare, 
That all these sorrowes suffer for my sake, 
High heven behold the tedious toyle ye for me take! 

2. 'Now are we come unto my native soyle. 
And to the place where all our perilles dwell; 
Here hauntes that feend, and does his dayly spoyle; 
Therefore, henceforth, bee at your keeping 3 well, 
And ever ready for your foeman fell: 
The sparke of noble corage now .awake, 
And strive your excellent selfe to excell: 
That shall ye evermore renowmed make 
Above all knights on earth, that batteill undertake.' 

3. And pointing forth, 'Lo! yonder is,' (said she) 
' The brasen towre, in which my parents deare 
For dread of that huge feend emprisond be; 
Whom I from far see on the walles appeare, 

* Churl. 2 Not the less. 3 Guard. 



Canto XI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 71 

Whose sight my feeble soule doth greatly cheare: 

And on the top of all I do espye 

The watchman wayting tydings glad to heare; 

That, (O my Parents!) might I happily 

Unto you bring, to ease you of your misery!' 

4. With that they heard a roaring hideous sownd, 
That all the ayre with terror filled wyde, 

And seemd uneath 1 to shake the stedfast ground. 

Eftsoones that dreadful Dragon they espyde, 

Where stretcht he lay upon the sunny side 

Of a great hill, himselfe like a great hill: 

But, all so soone as he from far descryde 

Those glistring armes that heven with light did fill, 

He rousd himselfe full blyth, and hastned them untill. 2 

5. Then badd the knight his Lady yede 3 aloof, 
And to an hill herselfe withdraw asyde; 

From whence she might behold that battailles proof, 

And eke be safe from daunger far descryde. 

She him obayd, and turnd a little wyde. 4 

Now, O thou sacred Muse! most learned Dame. 

Fayre ympe 5 of Phoebus and his aged bryde, 

The Nourse of time and everlasting fame, 

That warlike handes ennoblest with immortall name; 

6. O! gently come into my feeble brest; 
Come gently, but not with that mightie rage, 
Wherewith the martiall troupes thou doest infest, 
And hartes of great Heroes doest enrage, 

That nought their kindled corage may aswage: 

Soone as thy dreadfull trompe begins to sownd, 

The God of warre with his fiers equipage 

Thou doest awake, sleepe never he so sownd; 

And scared nations doest with horror sterne astownd. 

7. Fayre Goddesse, lay that furious fitt asyde, 
Till I of warres and bloody Mars doe sing, 
And Bryton fieldes with Sarazin blood bedyde, 
Twixt that great faery Queene and Paynim king, 



72 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

That with their horror heven and earth did ring; 

A worke of labour long, and endlesse prayse: 

But now a while lett downe that haughtie string, 

And to my tunes thy second tenor rayse, 

That I this man of God his godly armes may blaze. 1 

8. By this, the dreadful Beast drew nigh to hand, 
Halfe flying and halfe footing in his haste, 
That with his largenesse measured much land, 
And made wide shadow under his huge waste, 
As mountaine doth the valley overcaste. 
Approching nigh, he reared high afore 

His body monstrous, horrible, and vaste; 

Which, to increase his wondrous greatnes more, 

Was swoln with wrath and poyson, and with bloody gore; 

9. And over all with brasen scales was armd, 
Like plated cote of Steele, so couched neare 

That nought mote perce; ne might his corse bee harmd 

With dint of swerd, nor push of pointed speare : 

Which as an Eagle, seeing pray appeare, 

His aery plumes doth rouze, full rudely dight; 

So shaked he, that horror was to heare: 

For as the clashing of an Armor bright, 

Such noyse his rouzed scales did send unto the knight. 

10. His flaggy winges, when forth he did display, 
Were like two sayles, in which the hollow wynd 
Is gathered full, and worketh speedy way: 
And eke the pennes, 2 that did his pineons bynd, 
Were like mayne-yardes with flying canvas lynd; 
With which whenas him list the ayre to beat, 
And there by force unwonted passage fynd, 
The cloudes before him fledd for terror great, 

And all the hevens stood still amazed with his threat. 

11. His huge long tayle, wownd up in hundred foldes, 
Does overspred his long bras-scaly back, 

Whose wreathed boughtes 3 when ever he unfoldes, 
And thick entangled knots adown does slack, 

1 Proclaim. 2 Feathers. 3 Loops. 



Canto XI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 73 

Bespotted as with shieldes of red and blacke, 

It sweepeth all the land behind him farre, 

And of three furlongs does but litle lacke; 

And at the point two stinges in fixed arre, 

Both deadly sharp, that sharpest Steele exceeden farre. 

12. But stinges and sharpest Steele did far exceed 
The sharpnesse of his cruel rending clawes: 
Dead was it sure, as sure as death in deed, 
What ever thing does touch his ravenous pawes, 
Or what within his reach he ever drawes. 

But his most hideous head my tongue to tell 
Does tremble; for his deepe devouring jawes 
Wyde gaped, like the griesly mouth of hell, 
Through which into his darke abysse all ravin 1 fell. 

13. And, that more wondrous was, in either jaw 
Three ranckes of yron teeth enraunged were, 
In which yett trickling blood, and gobbets raw, 
Of late devoured bodies did appeare, 

That sight therof bredd cold congealed feare; 

Which to increase, and all atonce to kill, 

A cloud of smoothering smoke, and sulphure seare, 2 

Out of his stinking gorge forth steemed still, 

That all the ayre about with smoke and stench did fill. 

14. His blazing eyes, like two bright shining shieldes, 
Did burne with wrath, and sparkled living fyre : 
As two broad Beacons, sett in open fieldes, 
Send forth their flames far off to every shyre, 
And warning give that enimies conspyre 

With fire and sword the region to invade : 

So flam'd his eyne with rage and rancorous yre; 

But far within, as in a hollow glade, 

Those glaring lampes were sett that made a dreadfull shade. 

15. So dreadfully he towardes him did pas, 

Forelifting up a-loft his speckled brest, 
And often bounding on the brused gras, 
As for great joyance of his newcome guest. 

1 Plunder. 2 Burning. 



74 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

Eftsoones he gan advance his haughty crest, 

As chauffed Bore his bristles doth upreare; 

And shoke his scales to battaile ready drest, 

That made the Redcrosse knight nigh quake for feare, 

As bidding bold defyaunce to his foeman neare. 

16. The knight gan fayrely couch his steady speare, 
And fiersely ran at him with rigorous might: 
The pointed Steele, arriving rudely theare, 

His harder hyde would nether perce nor bight, 

But, glauncing by, foorth passed forward right. 

Yet sore amoved with so puissaunt push, 

The wrathfull beast about him turned light, 

And him so rudely, passing by, did brush 

With his long tayle, that horse and man to ground did rush. 

17. Both horse and man up lightly rose againe, 
And fresh encounter towardes him addrest; 
But th' ydle stroke yet backe recoyld in vaine, 
And found no place his deadly point to rest. 
Exceeding rage enflam'd the furious Beast, 
To be avenged of so great despight; 

For never felt his imperceable brest 

So wondrous force from hand of living wight; 

Yet had he prov'd the powre of many a puissant knight. 

18. Then, with his waving wings displayed wyde, 
Himselfe up high he lifted from the ground, 
And with strong flight did forcibly divyde 
The yielding ayre, which nigh too feeble found 
Her flitting 1 parts, and element unsound, 

To beare so great a weight : he, cutting way 

With his broad sayles, about him soared round; 

At last, low stouping with unweldy sway, 

Snatcht up both horse and man, to beare them quite away. 

19. Long he them bore above the subject plaine, 
So far as Ewghen bow a shaft may send, 

Till struggling strong did him at last constraine 
To let them downe before his flightes end: 

1 Fluttering, unsubstantial. 



Canto XI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 75 

As hagard hauke, presuming to contend 

With hardy fowle above his hable might, 

His wearie pounces all in vaine doth spend 

To trusse 1 the pray too heavy for his flight; 

Which, comming down to ground, does free it selfe by fight. 

20. He so disseized 2 of his gryping grosse, 

The knight his thrillant speare againe assayd 

In his bras-plated body to embosse, 3 

And three mens strength unto the stroake he layd; 

Wherewith the stiffe beame quaked as affrayd, 

And glauncing from his scaly necke did glyde 

Close under his left wing, then broad displayd: 

The percing Steele there wrought a wound full wyde, 

That with the uncouth smart the Monster lowdly cryde. 

21. He cryde, as raging seas are wont to rore 

When wintry storme his wrathful wreck does threat; 

The rolling billowes beate the ragged shore, 

As they the earth would shoulder from her seat; 

And greedy gulfe does gape, as he would eat 

His neighbour element in his revenge: 

Then gin the blustring brethren boldly threat 

To move the world from off his stedfast henge, 

And boystrous battaile make, each other to avenge. 

22. The steely head stuck fast still in his flesh, 
Till with his cruell clawes he snatcht the wood, 
And quite a sunder broke. Forth flowed fresh 
A gushing river of blacke gory blood, 

That drowned all the land whereon he stood; 

The streame thereof would drive a water-mill: 

Trebly augmented was his furious mood 

With bitter sence of his deepe rooted ill, 

That flames of fire he threw forth from his large nosethril 

23. His hideous tayle then hurled he about, 
And therewith all enwrapt the nimble thyes 
Of his froth-fomy steed, whose courage stout 
Striving to loose the knott that fast him tyes, 

•Seize. 2 Dispossessed. 3 Stick. 



76 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

Himselfe in streighter bandes too rash implyes, 
That to the ground he is perforce constraynd 
To throw his ryder; who can quickly ryse 
From off the earth, with durty blood distaynd, 
For that reprochfull fall right fowly he disdaynd; 

24. And fercely tooke his trenchand 1 blade in hand, 
With which he stroke so furious and so fell, 

That nothing seemd the puissaunce could withstand: 

Upon his crest the hardned yron fell, 

But his more hardned crest was armd so well, 

That deeper dint therein it would not make; 

Yet so extremely did the buffe 2 him quell, 

That from thenceforth he shund the like to take, 

But when he saw them come he did them still forsake. 

25. The knight was wroth to see his stroke beguyld, 3 
And smot againe with more outrageous might; 
But backe againe the sparcling Steele recoyld, 
And left not any marke where it did light, 

As if in Adamant rocke it had beene pight. 4 

The beast, impatient of his smarting wound 

And of so fierce and forcible despight, 

Thought with his winges to stye 5 above the ground; 

But his late wounded wing unserviceable found. 

26. Then full of griefe and anguish vehement, 
He lowdly brayd, that like was never heard; 
And from his wide devouring oven sent 

A flake of fire, that flashing in his beard 

Him all amazd, and almost made afeard: 

The scorching flame sore swinged 6 all his face, 

And through his armour all his body seard, 

That he could not endure so cruell cace, 

But thought his armes to leave, and helmet to unlace. 



1 Keen. 2 Blow. 3 Diverted, turned aside. 

4 Pitched, thrown. 5 Soar 6 Singed. 



Canto XI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 77 

28. Faynt, wearie, sore, emboyled, 1 grieved, brent, 

With heat, toyle, wounds, armes, smart, and inward fire, 

That never man such mischiefes did torment : 

Death better were; death did he oft desire, 

But death will never come when needes require. 

Whom so dismay d when that his foe beheld, 

He cast 2 to suffer him no more respire, 

But gan his sturdy sterne about to weld, 3 

And him so strongly stroke, that to the ground him feld. 

29. It fortuned, (as fayre it then befell) 
Behynd his backe, unweeting, where he stood, 
Of auncient time there was a springing well, 
From which fast trickled forth a silver flood, 
Full of great vertues, and for med'cine good: 
Whylome, 4 before that cursed Dragon got 
That happy land, and all with innocent blood 
Defyld those sacred waves, it rightly hot 5 
The well of life, ne yet his vertues had forgot: 

30. For unto life the dead it could restore, 

And guilt of sinfull crimes cleane wash away; 

Those that with sicknesse were infected sore 

It could recure; and aged long decay 

Renew, as one were borne that very day. 

Both Silo this, and Jordan, did excell, 

And th' English Bath, and eke the German Spau; 

Ne can Cephise, nor Hebrus, match this well: 

Into the same the knight back overthrowen fell. 

31. Now gan the golden Phoebus for to steepe 
His fierie face in billowes of the west, 

And his faint steedes watred in Ocean deepe, 
Whiles from their journall 6 labours they did rest; 
When that infernall Monster, having kest 7 
His wearie foe into that living well, 
Gan high advaunce his broad discoloured brest 
Above his wonted pitch, with countenance fell, 
And clapt his yron wings as victor he did dwell. 

1 Heated. 2 Determined. 3 Wield. 4 Of old, formerly. 

5 Was called. 6 Daily. 7 Cast. 



78 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I 

32. Which when his pensive Lady saw from farre, 
Great woe and sorrow did her soule assay, 

As weening that the sad end of the warre; 

And gan to highest God entirely 1 pray 

That feared chaunce from her to turne away: 

With folded hands, and knees full lowly bent, 

All night shee watcht, ne once adowne would lay 

Her dainty limbs in her sad dreriment, 

But praying still did wake, and waking did lament. 

33. The morrow next gan earely to appeare, 
That Titan rose to runne his daily race; 
But earely, ere the morrow next gan reare 
Out of the sea faire Titans deawy face, 
Up rose the gentle virgin from her place, 
And looked all about, if she might spy 
Her loved knight to move his manly pace : 
For she had great doubt of his safety, 
Since late she saw him fall before his enimy. 

34. At last she saw where he upstarted brave 
Out of the well, wherein he drenched lay: 
As Eagle, fresh out of the ocean wave, 
Where he hath lefte his plumes all hory gray, 

. And deckt himselfe with fethers youthly gay, 
Like Eyas hauke up mounts unto the skies, 
His newly-budded pineons to assay, 
And marveiles at himselfe stil as he flies: 
So new this new-borne knight to battell new did rise. 

35. Whom when the damned feend so fresh did spy, 
No wonder if he wondred at the sight, 
And doubted whether his late enimy 
It were, or other new supplied knight. 
He now, to prove his late-renewed might, 
High brandishing his bright deaw-burning blade, 
Upon his crested scalp so sore did smite, 
That to the scull a yawning wound it made : 
The deadly dint his dulled sences all dismaid. 

1 Earnestly. 



Canto XI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 79 

36. I wote not whether the revenging Steele 
Were hardned with that holy water dew 
Wherein he fell, or sharper edge did feele, 
Or his baptized hands now greater grew, 
Or other secret- vertue did ensew; 

Els never could the force of fleshly arme, 

Ne molten mettall, in his blood embrew; 

For till that stownd 1 could never wight him harme 

By subtilty, nor slight, nor might, nor mighty charme 

37. The cruell wound enraged him so sore, 
That loud he yelled for exceeding paine; 
As hundred ramping Lions seemd to rore, 
Whom ravenous hunger did thereto constraine: 
Then gan he tosse aloft his stretched traine, 
And therewith scourge the buxome 2 aire so sore, 
That to his force to yielden it was faine; 

Ne ought his sturdy strokes might stand afore, 

That high trees overthrew, and rocks in peeces tore. 

38. The same advauncing high above his head, 
With sharpe intended sting so rude him smott, 
That to the earth him drove, as stricken dead; 
Ne living wight would have him life behott 3 : 
The mortall sting his angry needle shott 

Quite through his shield, and in his shoulder seasd, 4 
Where fast it stucke, ne would thereout be gott : 
The griefe thereof him wondrous sore diseasd, 
Ne might his rancling paine with patience be appeasd. 

39. But yet, more mindfull of his honour deare 
Then of the grievous smart which him did wring, 
From loathed soile he can him lightly reare, 
And strove to loose the far infixed sting: 
Which when in vaine he tryde with struggeling, 
Inflam'd with wrath, his raging blade he hefte, 5 
And strooke so strongly, that the knotty string 
Of his huge taile he quite a sonder clefte; 

Five joints thereof he hewd, and but the stump him lefte. 

1 Moment. 2 Yielding. 3 Promised. 4 Seized. 5 Heaved. 



80 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

40. Hart cannot thinke what outrage and what cries, 
With fowle enfouldred 1 smoake and flashing fire, 
The hell-bred beast threw forth unto the skies, 
That all was covered with darknesse dire : 
Then, fraught with rancour and engorged 2 yre, 
He cast at once him to avenge for all; 

And, gathering up himselfe out of the mire 

With his uneven wings, did fiercely fall 

Upon his sunne-bright shield, and grypt it fast withall. 

41. Much was the man encombred with his hold, 
In feare to lose his weapon in his paw, 

Ne wist yett how his talaunts to unfold; 

Nor harder was from Cerberus greedy jaw 

To plucke a bone, then from his cruell claw 

To reave by strength the griped gage away: 

Thrise he assayd it from his foote to draw, 

And thrise in vaine to draw it did assay; 

It booted nought to thinke to robbe him of his pray. 

42. Tho, when he saw no power might prevaile, 
His trusty sword he cald to his last aid, 
Wherewith he fiersly did his foe assaile, 
And double blowes about him stoutly laid, 
That glauncing fire out of the yron plaid, 
As sparkles from the Andvile use to fly, 
When heavy hammers on the wedge are swaid: 
Therewith at last he forst him to unty 

One of his grasping feete, him to defend thereby. 

43. The other foote, fast fixed on his shield, 

Whenas no strength nor stroks mote him constraine 

To loose, ne yet the warlike pledge to yield, 

He smott thereat with all his might and maine, 

That nought so wondrous puissaunce might sustaine: 

Upon the joint the lucky Steele did light, 

And made such way that hewd it quite in twaine; 

The paw yett missed not his minisht might, 

But hong still on the shield, as it at first was pight. 3 

1 Mixed with lightning. 2 Congested. 3 Fixed. 



Canto XI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 81 

44. For griefe thereof and divelish despight, 
From his infernall fournace forth he threw 
Huge flames that dimmed all the hevens light, 
Enrold in duskish smoke and brimstone blew: 
As burning Aetna from his boyling stew 

Doth belch out flames, and rockes in peeces broke, 

And ragged ribs of mountaines molten new, 

Enwrapt in coleblacke clowds and filthy smoke, 

That al the land with stench and heven with horror choke. 

45. The heate whereof, and harmefull pestilence, 
So sore him noyd, that forst him to retire 

A little backeward for his best defence, 

To save his body from the scorching fire, 

Which he from hellish entrailes did expire 1 : 

It chaunst, (eternall God that chaunce did guide) 

As he recoiled backeward, in the mire, 

His nigh foreweried feeble feet did slide, 

And downe he fell, with dread of shame sore terrifide. 

46. There grew a goodly tree him faire beside, 
Loaden with fruit and apples rosy redd, 
As they in pure vermilion had been dide, 
Whereof great vertues over-all were redd; 
For happy life to all which thereon fedd, 
And life eke everlasting did befall : 

Great God it planted in that blessed stedd 2 

With his Almighty hand, and did it call 

The tree of life, the crime of our first fathers fall. 

47. In all the world like was not to be fownd, 

Save in that soile, where all good things did grow, 

And freely sprong out of the fruitfull grownd, 

As incorrupted Nature did them sow, 

Till that dredd Dragon all did overthrow. 

Another like faire tree eke grew thereby, 

Whereof whoso did eat, eftsoones did know 

Both good and ill. O mournfull memory! 

That tree through one mans fault hath doen 3 us all to dy. 

1 Breathe out. 2 Place. 3 Made. 



82 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book ] 

48. From that first tree forth flowd, as from a well, 
A trickling streame of Balme, most soveraine 
And dainty deare, which on the ground still fell, 
And overflowed all the fertile plaine, 

As it had deawed bene with timely raine: 

Life and long health that gracious ointment gave, 

And deadly wounds could heale, and reare againe 

The sencelesse corse appointed for the grave: 

Into that same he fell, which did from death him save. 

49. For nigh thereto the ever damned Beast 
Durst not approch, for he was deadly 1 made, 
And al that life preserved did detest; 

Yet he it oft adventur'd to invade. 

By this the drouping day-light gan to fade, 

And yield his rowme to sad succeeding night, 

Who with her sable mantle gan to shade 

The face of earth and wayes of living wight, 

And high her burning torch set up in heaven bright. 

50. When gentle Una saw the second fall 

Of her deare knight, who, weary of long fight 

And faint through losse of blood, moov'd not at all, 

But lay, as in a dreame of deepe delight, 

Besmeard with pretious Balme, whose vertuous might 

Did heale his woundes, and scorching heat alay; 

Againe she stricken was with sore affright, 

And for his safetie gan devoutly pray, 

And watch the noyous night, and wait for joyous day. 

51. The joyous day gan early to appeare; 
And fayre Aurora from the deawy bed 
Of aged Tithone gan herself e to reare 

With rosy cheekes, for shame as blushing red: 
Her golden locks for hast were loosely shed 
About her eares, when Una her did marke 
- Clymbe to her charet, all with flowers spred, 
From Heven high to chace the chearelesse darke; 
With mery note her lowd salutes the mounting larke. 

1 Death-giving. 



i Canto XI] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 83 

52. Then freshly up arose the doughty knight, 
All healed of his hurts and woundes wide, 
And did himselfe to battaile ready dight; 
Whose early foe awaiting him beside 
To have devourd, so soone as day he spyde 
When now he saw himselfe so freshly reare, 
As if late fight had nought him damnifyde, 1 
He woxe dismaid, and gan his fate to feare 
Nathlesse with wonted rage he him advaunced neare. 

53. And in his first encounter, gaping wyde, 

He thought attonce him to have swallowed quight, 

And rusht upon him with outragious pryde; 

Who him rencountring fierce, as hauke in flight, 

Perforce rebutted backe. The weapon bright, 

Taking advantage of his open jaw, 

Ran through his mouth with so importune might, 

That deepe emperst his darksom hollow maw, 

And, back retyrd, his life blood forth with all did draw. 

54. So downe he fell, and forth his life did breath, 
That vanisht into smoke and cloudes swift; 

So downe he fell, that th' earth him underneath 

Did grone, as feeble so great load to lift; 

So downe he fell, as an huge rocky clift, 

Whose false foundacion waves have washt away, 

With dreadfull poyse 2 is from the mayneland rift, 

And rolling downe great Neptune doth dismay: 

So downe he fell, and like an heaped mountaine lay. 

55. The knight him selfe even trembled at his fall, 
So huge and horrible a masse it seemd; 

And his deare Lady, that beheld it all, 

Durst not approch for dread which she misdeemd; 

But yet at last, whenas the direfull feend 

She saw not stirre, off-shaking vaine affright 

She nigher drew, and saw that joyous end: 

Then God she praysd, and thankt her faithfull knight, 

That had atchievde so great a conquest by his might. 

i Hurt. 2 Weight. 



84 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book I I 

CANTO XII 

Fayre Una to the Redcrosse Knight 

Betrouthed is with joy: 
Though false Duessa, it to barre, 

Her false sleightes doe imploy. 

1. Behold! I see the haven nigh at hand 
To which I meane my wearie course to bend; 
Vere the maine shete, and beare up with the land, 
The which afore is fayrly to be kend, 1 
And seemeth safe from storms that may offend; 
There this fayre virgin wearie of her way 
Must landed bee, now at her journeyes end; 
There eke my feeble barke a while may stay, 
Till mery wynd and weathor call her thence away. 

2. Scarsely had Phoebus in the glooming East 
Yett harnessed his fyrie-footed teeme, 
Ne reard above the earth his naming creast, 
When the last deadly smoke aloft did steeme, 
That signe of last out breathed life did seeme 
Unto the watchman on the castle-wall; 
Who thereby dead that balefull Beast did deeme 
And to his Lord and Lady lowd gan call, 
To tell how he had seene the Dragons fatall fall. 

3. Uprose with hasty joy, and feeble speed, 
That aged Syre, the Lord of all that land, 
And looked forth, to weet if trew indeed 
Those tydinges were, as he did understand: 
Which whenas trew by tryall he out fond, 
He badd to open wyde his brasen gate, 
Which long time had beene shut, and out of hond 2 
Proclaymed joy and peace through all his state; 
For dead now was their foe, which them forrayed 3 late. 

4. Then gan triumphant Trompets sownd on hye, 
That sent to heven the ecchoed report 
Of their new joy, and happie victory 
Gainst him, that had them long opprest with tort, 4 

1 Known. - ' 2 Immediately. 3 Ravaged. 4 Wrong. 



Canto XII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 85 

And fast imprisoned in sieged fort. 

Then all the people, as in solemne feast, 

To him assembled with one full consort, 

Rejoycing at the fall of that great beast, 

From whose eternall bondage now they were releast. 

5. Forth came that auncient Lord, and aged Queene, 
Arayd in antique robes downe to the grownd, 
And sad 1 habiliments right well beseene 2 : 

A noble crew about them waited rownd 
Of sage and sober peres, all gravely gownd; 
Whom far before did march a goodly band 
Of tall young men, all hable armes to sownd 3 ; 
But now they laurell braunches bore in hand, 
Glad signe of victory and peace in all their land. 

6. Unto that doughtie Conquerour they came, 
And him before themselves prostrating low, 
Their Lord and Patrone loud did him proclame, 
And at his feet their lawrell boughes did throw. 
Soone after them, all dauncing on a row, 

The comely virgins came, with girlands dight, 

As fresh as flowres in medow greene doe grow 

When morning deaw upon their leaves doth light; 

And in their handes sweet Timbrels all upheld on hight. 

7. And them before the fry of children yong 

Their wanton sportes and childish mirth did play, 

And to the Maydens sownding tymbrels song 

In well attuned notes a joyous lay, 

And made delightfull musick all the way, 

Untill they came where that faire virgin stood: 

As fayre Diana in fresh sommers day 

Beholdes her nymphes enraung'd in shady wood, 

Some wrestle, some do run, some bathe in christall flood. 

8. So she beheld those maydens meriment 

With chearefull vew; who, when to her they came, 
Themselves to ground with gracious humblesse bent, 
And her ador'd by honorable name, 

1 Sober, grave. 2 Comely. 3 Wield- 



86 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

Lifting to heven her everlasting fame: 

Then on her head they sett a girlond greene, 

And crowned her twixt earnest and twixt game: 

Who, in her self-resemblance well beseene, 

Did seeme, such as she was, a goodly maiden Queene. 

9. And after all the raskall 1 many ran, 
Heaped together in rude rablement, 
To see the face of that victorious man, 
Whom all admired as from heaven sent, 
And gazd upon with gaping wonderment; 
But when they came where that dead Dragon lay, 
Stretcht on the ground in monstrous large extent, 
The sight with ydle feare did them dismay, 
Ne durst approch him nigh to touch, or once assay. 

10. Some feard, and fledd; some feard, and well it faynd; 
One, that would wiser seeme then all the rest, 
Warnd him not touch, for yet perhaps remaynd 
Some lingring life within his hollow brest, 

Or in his wombe might lurke some hidden nest 
Of many Dragonettes, his fruitfull seede: 
Another saide, that in his eyes did rest 
Yet sparckling fyre, and badd thereof take heed; 
Another said, he saw him move his eyes indeed. 

11. One mother, whenas her foolehardy chyld 
Did come too neare, and with his talants play, 
Halfe dead through feare, her litle babe revyld, 
And to her gossibs gan in counsell say; 

'How can I tell, but that his talants may 
Yet scratch my sonne, or rend his tender hand?' 
So diversly them selves in vaine they fray 2 ; 
Whiles some more bold to measure him nigh stand, 
To prove how many acres he did spred of land. 

12. Thus flocked all the folke him rownd about; 
The whiles that hoarie king, with all his traine, 
Being arrived where that champion stout 
After his foes defeasaunce 3 did remaine, 

1 Common. 2 Frighten. 3 Defeat. 



Canto XII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 87 

Him goodly greetes, and fayre does entertayne 
With princely gifts of yvory and gold, 
And thousand thankes him yeeldes for all his paine. 
Then when his daughter deare he does behold, 
Her dearely doth imbrace, and kisseth manifold. 

13. And after to his Pallace he them bringes, 

With shaumes, and trompets, and with Clarions sweet; 

And all the way the joyous people singes, 

And with their garments strowes the paved street; 

Whence mounting up, they fynd purveyaunce 1 meet 

Of all, that royall Princes court became; 

And all the floore was underneath their feet 

Bespredd with costly scarlott of great name, 

On which they lowly sitt, and fitting purpose frame. 

14. What needes me tell their feast and goodly guize, 
In which was nothing riotous nor vaine? 

What needes of dainty dishes to devize, 

Of comely services, or courtly trayne? 

My narrow leaves cannot in them contayne 

The large discourse of roiall Princes state. 

Yet was their manner then but bare and playne; 

For th' antique world excesse and pry de did hate: 

Such proud luxurious pompe is swollen up but late. 

15. Then, when with meates and drinkes of every kinde 
Their fervent appetites they quenched had, 

That auncient Lord gan fit occasion finde, 

Of straunge adventures, and of perils sad 

Which in his travel 1 him befallen had, 

For to demaund of his renowmed guest : 

Who then with utterance grave, and count 'nance sad, 

From poynt to poynt, as is before exprest, 

Discourst his voyage long, according his request. 

16. Great pleasure, mixt with pittiful regard, 
That godly King and Queene did passionate, 2 
Whyles they his pittifull adventures heard; 
That oft they did lament his lucklesse state, 

1 Supply. 2 Express passionately. 



18 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book I 

And often blame the too importune 1 fate 

That heapd on him so many wrathfull wreakes; 

For never gentle knight, as he of late, 

So tossed was in fortunes cruell freakes: 

And all the while salt teares bedeawd the hearers cheaks. 

17. Then sayd that royall Pere in sober wise; 

' Deare Sonne, great beene the evils which ye bore 
From first to last in your late enterprise, 
That I note 2 whether praise or pitty more; 
For never living man, I weene, so sore 
In sea of deadly daungers was distrest : 
But since now safe ye seised have the shore, 
And well arrived are, (high God be blest!) 
Let us devize of ease and everlasting rest.' 

18. 'Ah dearest Lord!' said then that doughty knight, 
'Of ease or rest I may not yet devize; 

For by the faith which I to armes have plight, 

I bownden am streight after this emprize, 

As that your daughter can ye well advize, 

Backe to retourne to that great Faery Queene, 

And her to serve sixe yeares in warlike wize, 

Gainst that proud Paynim king that works her teene: 3 

Therefore I ought crave pardon, till I there have beene.' 

19. 'Unhappy falls that hard necessity/ 
(Quoth he) ' the troubler of my happy peace, 
And vowed foe of my felicity; 

Ne I against the same can justly preace 4 : 

But since that band ye cannot now release, 

Nor doen undo, (for vowes may not be vayne) 

Soone as the terme of those six yeares shall cease, 

Ye then shall hither backe retourne agayne, 

The marriage to accomplish vowd betwixt you twayn. 

20. 'Which, for my part, I covet to performe 
In sort as through the world I did proclame, 
That who-so kild that monster most deforme, 
And him in hardy battayle overcame, 

1 Importunate, unseasonable. 2 Know not. 3 Grief. 4 Press. 



| 



Canto XII] THE RED CROSSE KNIGHT 

Should have mine onely daughter to his Dame, 

And of my kingdome heyre apparaunt bee: 

Therefore, since now to thee perteynes the same 

By dew desert of noble chevalree, 

Both daughter and eke kingdome lo! I yield to thee.' 

21. Then forth he called that his daughter fayre, 
The fairest Un', his onely daughter deare, 
His onely daughter and his only hayre; 
Who forth proceeding with sad 1 sober cheare, 
As bright as doth the morning starre appeare 
Out of the East, with flaming lockes bedight, 
To tell that dawning day is drawing neare, 
And to the world does bring long-wished light : 

So faire and fresh that Lady shewd herself e in sight. 

22. So faire and fresh, as freshest flowre in May; 
For she had layd her mournefull stole aside, 
And widow-like sad wimple throwne away, 
Wherewith her heavenly beautie she did hide, 
Whiles on her wearie journey she did ride; 
And on her now a garment she did weare 

All lily white, withoutten spot or pride, 
That seemd like silke and silver woven neare; 
But neither silke nor silver therein did appeare. 

23. The blazing brightnesse of her beauties beame, 
And glorious light of her sunshyny face, 

To tell were as to strive against the streame: 

My ragged rimes are all too rude and bace 

Her heavenly lineaments for to enchace. 2 

Ne wonder; for her own deare loved knight, 

All 3 were she daily with himselfe in place, 

Did wonder much at her celestial sight : 

Oft had he seene her faire, but never so faire dight. 

40. Great joy was made that day of young and old, 
And solemne feast proclaymd throughout the land, 
That their exceeding merth may not be told: 
Suffice it heare by signes to understand 

1 Grave. 2 Portray, enshrine. 3 Although. 



90 THE FAEKIE QUEENE [Book I 

The usuall joyes at knitting of loves band. 

Thrise happy man the knight himselfe did hold, 

Possessed of his Ladies hart and hand; 

And ever, when his eie did her behold, 

His heart did seeme to melt in pleasures manifold. 

41. Her joyous presence, and sweet company, 
In full content he there did long enjoy; 
Ne wicked envy, ne vile gealosy, 

His deare delights were hable to annoy: 

Yet, swimming in that sea of blissfull joy, 

He nought forgott how he whilome had sworne, 

In case he could that monstrous beast destroy, 

Unto his Faery Queene backe to retourne; 

The which he shortly did, and Una left to mourne. 

42. Now, strike your sailes, yee jolly Mariners, 
For we be come unto a quiet rode, 1 

Where we must land some of our passengers, 

And light this weary vessell of her lode: 

Here she a while may make her safe abode, 

Till she repaired have her tackles spent, 

And wants supplide; And then againe abroad 

On the long voiage whereto she is bent : 

Well may she speede, and fairely finish her intent! 

1 Roadstead. 



THE SECOND BOOK 

CONTAYNING THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON, OR OF TEMPERAUNCE 

CANTO I 

Guyon, by Archimage abusd, 

The Redcrosse knight awaytes; 
Fyndes Mordant and Amavia slaine 

With pleasures poisoned baytes. 

****** 

6. His carriage was full comely and upright; 
His countenance demure and temperate; 
But yett so sterne and terrible in sight, 

That cheard his friendes, and did his foes amate 1 : 
He was an Elfin borne of noble state 
And mickle worship in his native land; 
Well could he tourney, and in lists debate, 2 
And knighthood tooke of good Sir Huons hand, 
When with king Oberon he came to Faery land. 

7. Him als accompanyd upon the way 

A comely Palmer, clad in black attyre, 

Of rypest yeares, and heares all hoarie gray, 

That with a staff e his feeble steps did stire, 3 

Least his long way his aged limbes should tire: 

And, if by lookes one may the mind aread, 4 

He seemd to be a sage and sober syre; 

And ever with slow pace the knight did lead, 

Who taught his trampling steed with equall steps to tread. 



2 Contend. 3 Move. 

91 



92 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

35. In this faire wize they traveild long yfere, 1 
Through many hard assayes which did betide; 
Of which he honour still away did beare, 

And spred his glory through all countryes wide. 

At last, as chaunst them by a forest side 

To passe, for succour from the scorching ray, 

They heard a ruefull voice, that dearnly 2 cride 

With percing shriekes and many a dolefull lay; 

Which to attend awhile their forward steps they stay. 

36. 'But if that carelesse hevens/ (quoth she) 'despise 
The doome of just revenge, and take delight 

To see sad pageaunts of mens miseries, 

As bownd by them to live in lives despight 3 ; 

Yet can they not warne death from wretched wight. 

Come, then; come soone; come sweetest death, to me, 

And take away this long lent loathed light: 

Sharpe be thy wounds, but sweete the medicines be, 

That long captived soules from weary thraldome free. 

37. ' But thou, sweete Babe, whom frowning froward fate 
Hath made sad witnesse of thy fathers fall, 

Sith 4 heven thee deignes to hold in living state, 

Long maist thou live, and better thrive withall 

Then to thy lucklesse parents did befall. 

Live thou; and to thy mother dead attest 

That cleare she dide from blemish criminall: 

Thy litle hands embrewd in bleeding brest 

Loe! I for pledges leave. So give me leave to rest.' 

38. With that a deadly shrieke she forth did throw 
That through the wood re-echoed againe; 
And after gave a grone so deepe and low 

That seemd her tender heart was rent in twaine, 

Or thrild with point of thorough-piercing paine: 

As gentle Hynd, whose sides with cruell Steele 

Through launched, forth her bleeding life does raine, 

Whiles the sad pang approching shee does feele, 

Braies out her latest breath, and up her eies doth seele. 

1 Together. - 2 Sadly. 3 In despight of -life. 4 Since. 



Canto I] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 93 

39. Which when that warriour heard, dismounting straict 
From his tall steed, he rusht into the thick, 

And soone arrived where that sad pourtraict 

Of death and dolour lay, halfe dead, halfe quick; 

In whose white alabaster brest did stick 

A cruell knife that made a griesly wownd, 

From which forth gusht a stream of gore blood thick, 

That all her goodly garments staind arownd, 

And into a deepe sanguine dide the grassy grownd. 

40. Pitifull spectacle of deadly smart, 
Beside a bubling fountaine low she lay, 
Which shee increased with her bleeding hart, 
And the cleane waves with purple gore did ray 1 : 
Als in her lap a lovely babe did play 

His cruell sport, in stead of sorrow dew; 
For in her streaming blood he did embay 2 
His little hands, and tender joints embrew: 
Pitifull spectacle, as ever eie did vew! 

41. Besides them both, upon the soiled gras 
The dead corse of an armed knight was spred, 
Whose armour all with blood besprincled was; 
His ruddy lips did smyle, and rosy red 
Did paint his chearefull cheekes, yett being ded; 
Seemd to have beene a goodly personage, 
Now in his freshest flowre of lusty-hed, 
Fitt to inflame faire Lady with loves rage, 

But that fiers fate did crop the blossome of his age. 

42. Whom when the good Sir Guyon did behold, 
His hart gan wexe as starke 3 as marble stone, 
And his fresh blood did frieze with fearefull cold, 
That all his sences seemd berefte attone 4 : 

At last his mighty ghost gan depe to grone, 

As Lion, grudging in his great disdaine, 

Mournes inwardly, and makes to him selfe mone; 

Til ruth and fraile affection did constraine 

His stout courage to stoupe, and shew his inward paine. 



94 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

43. Out of her gored wound the cruell steel 

He lightly snatcht, and did the floodgate stop 

With his faire garment; then gan softly feel 

Her feeble pulse, to prove if any drop 

Of living blood yet in her veynes did hop : 

Which when he felt to move, he hoped faire 

To call backe life to her forsaken shop. 

So well he did her deadly wounds repaire, 

That at the last shee gan to breath out living aire. 

44. Which he perceiving greatly gan rejoice, 
And goodly counsell, that for wounded hart 

Is meetest med'cine, tempred with sweete voice: 

'Ay me! deare Lady, which the ymage art 

Of ruefull pitty and impatient smart, 

What direfull chaunce, armd with avenging fate, 

Or cursed hand, hath plaid this cruell part, 

Thus fowle to hasten your untimely date? 

Speake, O dear Lady, speake! help never comes too late.' 

45. Therewith her dim eie-lids she up gan reare, 
On which the drery death did sitt as sad 

As lump of lead, and made darke clouds appeare: 

But when as him, all in bright armour clad, 

Before her standing she espied had, 

As one out of a deadly dreame affright, 

She weakely started, yet she nothing drad 1 : 

Streight downe againe herselfe, in great despight, 

She groveling threw to ground, as hating life and light. 

46. The gentle knight her soone with carefull paine 
Uplifted light, and softly did uphold: 

Thrise he her reard, and thrise she sunck againe, 

Till he his armes about her sides gan fold, 

And to her said; 'Yet, if the stony cold 

Have not all seized on your frozen hart, 

Let one word fall that may your grief unfold, 

And tell the secrete of your mortall smart : 

He oft finds present helpe who does his grief e impart.' 



Canto I] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 95 

47. Then, casting up a deadly looke, full low 
Shee sight from bottome of her wounded brest; 
And after, many bitter throbs did throw, 
With lips full pale and foltring 1 tong opprest, 
These words she breathed forth from riven chest: 
' Leave, ah ! leave off, whatever wight thou bee. 
To lett 2 a weary wretch from her dew rest, 
And trouble dying soules tranquilitee; 
Take not away, now got, which none would give to me.' 

48. 'Ah! far be it/ (said he) 'Deare dame, fro mee, 
To hinder soule from her desired rest, 
Or hold sad life in long captivitee; 
For all I seeke is but to have redrest 
The bitter pangs that doth your heart infest. 
Tell. then, O Lady! tell what fatall priefe 3 
Hath with so huge misfortune you opprest; 
That I may cast to compas your reliefe, 
Or die with you in sorrow, and partake your grief e.' 

49. With feeble hands then stretched forth on hye, 
As heven accusing guilty of her death, 
And with dry drops congealed in her eye, 
In these sad wordes she spent her utmost breath: 
'Heare then, O man! the sorrowes that uneath 4 
My tong can tell, so far all sence they pas. 
Loe! this dead corpse, that lies here underneath, 
The gentlest knight, that ever on greene gras 
Gay steed with spurs did pricke, the good Sir Mortdant was: 

51. 'Him fortuned (hard fortune ye may ghesse) 
To come, where vile Acrasia does wonne 5 ; 
Acrasia, a false enchaunteresse, 
That many errant knightes hath fowle fordonne 6 ; 
Within a wandring Island, that doth ronne 
And stray in perilous gulfe, her dwelling is. 
Fayre Sir, if ever there ye travell, shonne 
The cursed land where many wend 7 amis, 
And know it by the name: it hight 8 the Bowre of blis. 

1 Faltering. 2 Hinder. 3 Trial. 4 Hardly. 

5 Dwell. 6 Destroyed. 7 Go. 8 Is called. 



96 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

52. ' Her blis is all in pleasure, and delight, 

Wherewith she makes her lovers dronken mad; 

And then with words, and weedes, 1 of wondrous might, 

On them she workes her will to uses bad : 

My liefest Lord she thus beguiled had; 

For he was flesh : (all flesh doth frayltie breed) 

Whom when I heard to beene so ill bestad, 

Weake wretch, I wrapt myselfe in Palmers weed, 

And cast to seek him forth through danger and great dreed. 

54. 'Him so I sought; and so at last I fownd, 
Where him that witch had thralled to her will, 
In chaines of lust and lewde desyres ybownd, 
And so transformed from his former skill, 2 
That me he knew not, nether his owne ill; 

Till, through wise handling and faire governaunce, 
I him recured to a better will, 
Purged from drugs of fowle intemperaunce : 
Then meanes I gan devise for his deliveraunce. 

55. 'Which when the vile Enchaunteresse perceiv'd, 
How that my Lord from her I would reprive, 3 
With cup thus charmd him parting she deceivd; 

' ' Sad verse, give death to him that death does give, 

' ' And losse of love to her that loves to live, 

"So soone as Bacchus with the Nymphe does lincke!" 

So parted we, and on our journey drive; 

Till, coming to this well, he stoupt to drincke: 

The charme fulfild, dead suddeinly he downe did sincke. 

56. 'Which when I, wretch' — Not one word more she sayd, 
But breaking off the end for want of breath, 

And slyding soft, as downe to sleepe her layd, 

And ended all her woe in quiet death. 

That seeing, good Sir Guyon coud uneath 4 

From teares abstayne; for griefe his hart did grate, 5 

And from so heavie sight his head did wreath, 

Accusing fortune, and too cruell fate, 

Which plonged had faire Lady in so wretched state. 

1 Herbs. 2 Understanding, discernment. 3 Set free 

4 Hardly. ' 5 Trouble. 



Canto II] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 97 

57. Then turning to his Palmer said; 'Old syre, 
Behold the ymage of mortalitie, 
And feeble nature cloth M with fleshly tyre. 1 
When raging passion with fierce tyranny 
Robs reason of her dew regalitie, 
And makes it servaunt to her basest part, 
The strong it weakens with infirmitie, 
And with bold furie armes the weakest hart : 
The strong through pleasure soonest falles, the weake 
through smart.' 

• 

- 58. 'But temperaunce' (said he) 'with golden squire 

Betwixt them both can measure out a meane; 

Nether to melt in pleasures whott 2 desyre, 

Nor frye in hartlesse grief e and dolefull tene 3 : 

Thrise happy man, who fares them both atweene! 

But sith this wretched woman overcome 

Of anguish, rather then of crime, hath bene, 

Reserve her cause to her eternall doome; 

And, in the meane, vouchsafe her honorable toombe.' 



CANTO II 

Babes bloody handes may not be clensd: 

The face of golden Meane: 
Her sisters, two Extremities, 

Strive her to banish cleane. 



Thus when Sir Guyon with his faithful guyde 
Had with dew rites and dolorous lament 
-The end of their sad Tragedie uptyde, 
The litle babe up in his armes he hent 4 ; 
Who with sweet pleasaunce, and bold blandishment, 
Gan smyle on them, that rather ought to weepe, 
As carelesse of his woe, or innocent 
Of that was doen; that ruth emperced deepe 
In that knightes hart, and wordes with bitter teares did 



S THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

2. 'Ah! lucklesse babe, borne under cruell starre, 
And in dead parents balefull ashes bred, 
Full little weenest thou what sorrowes are 
Left thee for porcion of thy livelyhed; 
Poore Orphane! in the wild world scattered, 
As budding braunch rent from the native tree, 
And throwen forth, till it be withered. 
Such is the state of men : Thus enter we 
Into this life with woe, and end with miseree!' 

3. Then, soft himselfe inclyning on his knee 
Downe to that well, did in the water weene 
(So love does loath disdainefull nicitee) 
His guiltie handes from bloody gore to cleene. 
He washt them oft and oft, yet nought they beene 
For all his washing cleaner. Still he strove; 
Yet still the litle hands were bloody seene : 
The which him into great amaz'ment drove, 
And into diverse doubt his wavering wonder clove. 

5. Whom thus at gaze the Palmer gan to bord 1 
With goodly reason, and thus fayre bespake; 
'Ye bene right hard amated, gratious Lord, 
And of your ignorance great merveill make, 
Whiles cause not well conceived ye mistake: 
But know, that secret vertues are infusd 
In every fountaine, and in everie lake, 
Which who hath skill them rightly to have chusd, 
To proof e of passing wonders hath full often usd: 

6. 'Of those, some were so from their sourse indewd 
By great Dame Nature, from whose fruitfull pap 
Their welheads spring, and are with moisture deawd; 
Which feedes each living plant with liquid sap, 
And filles with flowres fayre Floraes painted lap: 
But other some, by guifte of later grace, 
Or by good prayers, or by other hap, 
Had vertue pourd into their waters bace, 
And thenceforth were renowmd, and sought from place 

to place. 

1 Accost. 



Canto II] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 99 

7. ' Such is this well, wrought by occasion straunge, 
Which to her Nymph befell. Upon a day, 

As she the woodes with bow and shaftes did raunge, 
The hartlesse Hynd and Robucke to dismay, 
Dan Faunus chaunst to meet her by the way, 
And, kindling fire at her faire-burning eye, 
Inflamed was to follow beauties pray, 
And chaced her that fast from him did fly; 
As hynd from her, so she fled from her enimy. 

8. 'At last, when fayling breath began to faint, 
And saw no meanes to scape, of shame affrayd, 
She set her downe to weepe for sore constraint; 
And to Diana calling lowd for ayde, 

Her deare besought to let her die a mayd. 
The goddesse heard; and suddeine, where she sate 
Welling out streames of teares, and quite dismayd 
With stony feare of that rude rustick mate, 
Transformd her to a stone from stedfast virgins state. 

9. 'Lo! now she is that stone; from whose two heads, 
As from two weeping eyes, fresh streames do flow, 
Yet colde through feare and old conceived dreads; 
And yet the stone her semblance seems to show, 
Shapt like a maide, that such ye may her know: 
And yet her vertues in her water byde, 

For it is chaste and pure as purest snow, 
Ne lets her waves with any filth be dyde; 
| But ever, like herselfe, unstayned hath beene tryde. 

■^0. 'From thence it comes, that this babes bloody hand 
May not be clensd with water of this well : 
Ne certes, Sir, strive you it to withstand, 
But let them still be bloody, as befell, 
That they his mothers innocence may tell, 
As she bequeathd in her last testament; 
That, as a sacred Symbole, it may dwell 
In her sonnes flesh, to mind 1 revengement, 
And be for all chaste Dames an endlesse moniment.' 

1 Call to mind. 



100 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

[Guyon names the babe Ruddymane, and leaving it with 
Medina, the Golden Meane, continues his quest, which is to 
deliver the Palmer's land from the wicked Fay, Acrasia. Pyro- 
chles, attacking Guyon without cause, is defeated, and Atin, 
his attendant, summons Cymocles, his brother, to the rescue.] 

CANTO VI 

Guyon is of immodest Merth 
Led into loose desyre; 

Fights with Cymochles, whiles his bro- 
ther burns in furious fyre. 

1. A harder lesson to learne Continence 

In joyous pleasure then in grievous paine; 

For sweetnesse doth allure the weaker sence 

So strongly, that uneathes 1 it can refraine 

From that which feeble nature covets faine: 

But grief e and wrath, that be her enemies 

And foes of life, she better can abstainer 

Yet vertue vauntes in both her victories, 

And Guyon in them all shewes goodly maysteries. 

2. Whom bold Cymochles travelling to finde, 
With cruell purpose bent to wreake on him 
The wrath which Atin kindled in his mind, 
Came to a river, by whose utmost brim 
Wayting to passe, he saw whereas did swim 
Along the shore, as swift as glaunce of eye, 
A litle Gondelay, bedecked trim 

With boughes and arbours woven cunningly, 
That like a litle forrest seemed outwardly. 

3. And therein sate a Lady fresh and fayre, 
Making sweet solace to herselfe alone : 
Sometimes she song as lowd as larke in ayre, 
Sometimes she laught, as merry as Pope Jone; 
Yet was there not with her else any one, 
That to her might move cause of meriment : 
Matter of merth enough, though there were none, 
She could devise; and thousand waies invent 

To feede her foolish humour and vaine jolliment. 
i Hardly. 



Canto VI] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 101 

4. Which when far off Cymochles heard and saw, 
He lowdly cald to such as were abord 

The little barke unto the shore to draw, 

And him to ferry over that deepe ford. 

The merry mariner unto his word 

Soone hearkned, and her painted bote streightway 

Turnd to the shore, where that same warlike Lord 

She in receiv'd; but A tin by no way 

She would admit, albe 1 the knight her much did pray. 

5. Eftsoones her shallow ship away did slide, 
More swift then swallow sheres 2 the liquid skye, 
Withouten oare or Pilot it to guide, 

Or winged canvas with the wind to fly : 

Onely she turnd a pin, 3 and by and by 

It cut away upon the yielding wave, 

Ne cared she her course for to apply; 

For it was taught the way which she would have, 

And both from rocks and flats it selfe could wisely save. 

6. And all the way the wanton Damsell found 
New merth her passenger to entertaine; 
For she in pleasaunt purpose did abound, 
And greatly joyed merry tales to faine, 

Of which a store-house did with her remaine : 

Yet seemed, nothing well they her became; 

For all her wordes she drownd with laughter vaine, 

And wanted grace in utt'ring of the same, 

That turned all her pleasaunce to a scoffing game. 

7. And other whiles vaine toyes she would devize, 
As her f antasticke wit did most delight : 
Sometimes her head she fondly would aguize 4 . 
With gaudy girlonds, of fresh flowrets dight 
About her necke, or rings of rushes plight : 
Sometimes, to do 5 him laugh, she would assay 
To laugh at shaking of the leaves light 

Or to behold the water worke and play 
About her little frigot, therein making way. 

1 Although. 2 Cleaves. 3 Peg or bar. 4 Dress. 5 Make. 



102 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

8. Her light behaviour and loose dalliaunce 

Gave wondrous great contentment to the knight, 

That of his way he had no sovenaunce, 1 

Nor care of vow'd revenge and cruell fight, 

But to weake wench did yield his martiall might : 

So easie was to quench his flamed minde 

With one sweete drop of sensuall delight. 

So easie is t' appease the stormy winde 

Of malice in the calme of pleasaunt woman-kind. 

9. Diverse discourses in their way they spent; 
Mongst which Cymochles of her questioned 
Both what she was, and what that usage ment, 
Which in her cott 2 she daily practized? 

'Vaine man/ (saide she) 'that wouldest be reckoned 

A straunger in thy home, and ignoraunt 

Of Phsedria, (for so my name is red) 

Of Phaedria, thine owne fellow servaunt; 

For thou to serve Acrasia thy selfe doest vaunt. 

10. ' In this wide Inland sea, that hight by name 
The Idle lake, my wandring ship I row, 

That knowes her port, and thither sayles by ayme, 

Ne care, ne feare I how the wind do blow, 

Or whether swift I wend, or whether slow: 

Both slow and swift alike do serve my tourne; 

Ne swelling Neptune ne lowd thundring Jove 

Can chaunge my cheare, or make me ever mourne : 

My little boat can safely passe, this perilous bourne. 3 ' 

11. Whiles thus she talked, and whiles thus she toyd, 
They were far past the passage which he spake, 
And come unto an Island waste and voyd, 
That floted in the midst of that great lake; 
There her small Gondelay her port did make, 
And that gay payre, issewing on the shore, 
Disburdned her. Their way they forward take 
Into the land that lay them faire before, 

Whose pleasaunce she him shewd, and plentifull great 
store. 

1 Remembrance. 2 Small boat. 3 Boundary. 



Canto VI] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 103 

12. It was a chosen plott of fertile land, 
Emongst wide waves sett, like a litle nest, 
As if it had by Natures cunning hand 
Bene choycely picked out from all the rest, 
And laid forth for ensample of the best : 

No daintie flowre or herbe that growes on grownd, 

No arborett with painted blossomes drest 

And smelling sweete, but there it might be fownd 

To bud out faire, and throwe her sweete smels al arownd. 

13. No tree whose braunches did not bravely spring; 
No braunch whereon a fine bird did not sitt; 
No bird but did her shrill notes sweetely sing; 
No song but did containe a lovely ditt. 1 

Trees, braunches, birds, and songs, were framed fitt 
For to allure f raile mind to carelesse ease : 
Carelesse the man soone woxe, 2 and his weake witt 
Was overcome of thing that did him please; 
So pleased did his wrathfull purpose faire appease. 

14. Thus when shee had his eyes and sences fed 
With false delights, and fild with pleasures vayn, 
Into a shady dale she soft him led, 

And layd him downe upon a grassy playn; 

And her sweete selfe without dread or disdayn 

She sett beside, laying his head disarmd 

In her loose lap, it softly to sustayn, 

Where soone he slumbred fearing not be harmd : 

The whiles with a love lay she thus him sweetly charmd. 

15. 'Behold, O man! that toilesome paines doest take, 
The flowrs, the fields, and all that pleasaunt growes, 
How they them selves doe thine ensample make, 
Whiles nothing envious nature them forth throwes 
Out of her fruit full lap; how no man knowes, 
They spring, they bud, they blossome fresh and faire, 
And decke the world with their rich pompous showes; 
Yet no man for them taketh paines or care, 

Yet no man to them can his carefull paines compare. 

i Ditty. a Grew. 



104 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

16. 'The lilly, Lady of the flo wring field, 
The flowre-deluce, her lovely Paramoure, 
Bid thee to them thy fruitlesse labors yield, 
And soone leave off this toylsome weary stoure: 
Loe, loe! how brave she decks her bounteous boure, 
With silkin curtens and gold coverletts, 
Therein to shrowd her sumptuous Belamoure 1 ; 
Yet nether spinnes nor cards, ne cares nor fretts, 
But to her mother Nature all her care she letts. 

17. 'Why then doest thou, O man! that of them all 
Art Lord, and eke of nature Soveraine, 
Wilfully make thyselfe a wretched thrall, 
And waste thy joyous howres in needelesse paine, 
Seeking for daunger and adventures vaine? 
What bootes it al to have, and nothing use? 
Who shall him rew that swimming in the maine 
Will die for thirst, and water doth refuse? 
Refuse such fruitlesse toile, and present pleasures chuse.' 

18. By this she had him lulled fast asleepe, 
That of no worldly thing he care did take : 
Then she with liquors strong his eies did steepe, 
That nothing should him hastily awake. 
So she him lefte, and did her selfe betake 
Unto her boat again, with which she clefte 
The slouthfull 2 wave of that great griesy 3 lake: 
Soone shee that Island far behind her lefte, 
And now is come to that same place where first she wefte. 4 

19. By this time was the worthy Guyon brought 
Unto the other side of that wide-strond 
Where she was rowing, and for passage sought. 
Him needed not long call; shee soone to hond 
Her ferry brought, where him she by ding 5 fond 6 
With his sad guide: him selfe she tooke aboord, 
But the Blacke Palmer suffred still to stond, 
Ne would for price or prayers once affoord 
To ferry that old man over the perlous foord. 

1 Lover. 2 Slothful. 3 Sluggish. 

4 Was wafted. 5 Waiting. 6 Found. 



Canto VI] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 105 

20. Guyon was loath to leave his guide behind, 
Yet being entred might not backe retyre; 
For the flitt 1 barke, obaying to her mind, 
Forth launched quickly as she did desire, 
Ne gave him leave to bid that aged sire 
Adieu; but nimbly ran her wonted course 
Through the dull billowes thicke as troubled mire, 
Whom nether wind out of their seat could forse 

Nor timely tides did drive out of their sluggish sourse. 

21. And by the way, as was her wonted guize,- 
Her mery fitt shee freshly gan to reare, 
And did of joy and jollity devize, 

Her selfe to cherish, and her guest to cheare. 
The knight was courteous, and did not forbeare 
Her honest merth and pleasaunce to partake; 
But when he saw her toy, and gibe, and geare, 3 
And passe the bonds of modest merimake, 
Her dalliaunce he despis'd, and follies did forsake. 

22. Yet she still followed her former style, 
And said and did all that mote him delight, 
Till they arrived in that pleasaunt He, 
Where sleeping late she lefte her other knight. 
But whenas Guyon of that land had sight, 
He wist him selfe amisse, and angry said; 
'Ah, Dame! perdy ye have not doen me right, 
Thus to mislead mee, whiles I you obaid: 

Me litle needed from my right way to have straid/ 

23. 'Faire Sir/ (quoth she) 'be not displeasd at all. 
Who fares on sea may not commaund his way, 
Ne wind and weather at his pleasure call: 

The sea is wide, and easy for to stray; 
The wind unstable, and doth never stay. 
But here a while ye may in safety rest, 
Till season serve new passage to assay: 
Better safe port then be in seas distrest.' 
Therewith she laught, and did her earnest end in jest. 
1 Fleet. 2 Habit. 3 j eer . 



106 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

24. But he, halfe discontent, mote 1 nathelesse 
Himself e appease, and issewd forth on shore; 
The joyes whereof and happy fruitfulnesse, 
Such as he saw she gan him lay before, 

And all, though pleasaunt, yet she made much more: 

The fields did laugh, the flowres did freshly spring, 

The trees did bud, and early blossomes bore; 

And all the quire of birds did sweetly sing, 

And told that gardins pleasures in their caroling. 

25. And she, more sweete then any bird on bough, 
Would oftentimes emongst them beare a part, 
And strive to passe 2 (as she could well enough) 
Their native musicke by her skilful art : 

So did she all that might his constant hart 
Withdraw from thought of warlike enterprize, 
And drowne in dissolute delights apart, 
Where noise of armes, or vew of martiall guize, 
Might not revive desire of knightly exercize. 

26. But he was wise, and wary of her will, 
And ever held his hand upon his hart; 
Yet would not seeme so rude, and thewed 3 ill, 
As to despise so curteous seeming part 
That gentle Lady did to him impart : 
But, fairly tempring, fond desire subdewd, 
And ever her desired to depart. 
She list not heare, but her disports poursewd, 
And ever bad him stay till time the tide renewd 



CANTO VII 

Guyon findes Mamon in a delve 

Sunning his threasure tore; 
Is by him tempted, and led downe 

To see his secrete store. 

1. As Pilot well expert in perilous wave, 

That to a stedfast starre his course hath bent 
When foggy mistes or cloudy tempests have 
The faithfull light of that faire lampe yblent, 4 

1 Must. 2 Surpass. 3 Mannered. 4 Blinded. 



Canto VII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 107 

And cover 'd Jieaven with hideous dreriment, 
Upon his card 1 and compas firmes his eye, 
The maysters of his long experiment, 
And to them does the steddy helme apply, 
Bidding his winged vessell fairely forward flv: 

2. So Guyon having lost his trustie guyde, 
Late left beyond that Ydle lake, proceedes 
Yet on his way, of none accompanyde; 
And evermore himselfe with comfort feedes 
Of his own vertues and praise-worthie deedes 
So, long he yode, 2 yet no adventure found, 
Which fame of her shrill trompet worthy reedes 3 ; 
For still he traveild through wide wast full ground, 
That nought but desert wildernesse shewed all around. 

? 3. At last he came unto a gloomy glade, 

Cover 'd with boughes and shrubs from heavens light, 

Whereas he sitting found in secret shade 

An uncouth, salvage, and uncivile wight, 

Of griesly hew and fowle ill favoured sight; 

His face with smoke was tand, and eies were bleard, 

His head and beard with sout were ill bedight, 

His cole-blacke hands did seeme to have ben seard 

In smythes fire-spitting forge, and nayles like clawes 



4. His yron cote, all overgrowne with rust, 
Was underneath enveloped with gold; 

Whose glistring glosse, darkned with filthy dust, 

Well yet appeared to have beene of old 

A worke of rich entayle and curious mould, 

Woven with antickes and wyld ymagery; 

And in his lap a masse of coyne he told. 

And turned upside downe, to feede his eye 

And covetous desire with his huge threasury. 

5. And round about him lay on every side 
Great heapes of gold that never could be spent; 
Of which some were rude owre, not purifide 



108 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

Of Mulcibers devouring element; 

Some others were new driven, and distent 1 

Into great Ingowes 2 and to wedges square; 

Some in round plates withouten moniment 3 ; 

But most were stampt, and in their metal bare 

The antique shapes of kings and kesars straunge and rare. 

6. Soone as he Guyon saw, in great affright 
And haste he rose for to remove aside 

Those pretious hils from straungers envious sight, 

And downe them poured through an hole full wide 

Into the hollow earth, them there to hide. 

But Guyon, lightly to him leaping, stayd 

His hand that trembled as one terrifyde; 

And though himself e were at the sight dismayd, 

Yet him perforce restraynd, and to him doubtfull sayd : 

7. 'What art thou, man, (if man at all thou art) 
That here in desert hast thine habitaunce, 
And these rich hils of welth doest hide apart 
From the worldes eye, and from her right usaunce?' 
Thereat, with staring eyes fixed askaunce, 

In great disdaine he answerd: 'Hardy Elfe, 
That darest view my direfull countenaunce, 
I read 4 thee rash and heedlesse of thy selfe, 
To trouble my still seate, and heapes of pretious pelfe. 

8. ' God of the world and worldlings I me call, 
Great Mammon, greatest god below the skye, 
That of my plenty poure out unto all, 

And unto none my graces do envye : 

Riches, renowme, and principality, 

Honour, estate, and all this worldes good, 

For which men swinck 5 and sweat incessantly, 

Fro me do flow into an ample flood, 

And in the hollow earth have their eternall brood. 

9. ' Wherefore, if me thou deigne to serve and sew, 
At thy commaund lo! all these mountaines bee: 

. Or if to thy great mind, or greedy vew, 
All these may not suffise, there shall to thee 

1 Distended, beaten out. 2 Ingots. 3 Stamp. 4 Consider. 5 Toil. 



Canto VII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 109 

Ten times so much be nombred francke and free.' 
'Mammon/ (said he) 'thy godheads vaunt is vaine, 
And idle offers of thy golden fee; 
To them that covet such eye-glutting gaine 
Proffer thy giftes, and fitter servaunts entertaine. 

10. 'Me ill besits, that in der-doing 1 armes 
And honours suit my vowed daies do spend, 
Unto thy bounteous baytes and pleasing charmes, 
With which weake men thou witchest, to attend; 
Regard of worldly mucke doth fowly blend, 2 
And low abase the high heroicke spright, 

That joyes for crownes and kingdomes to contend: 
Faire shields, gay steedes, bright armes be my delight; 
Those be the riches fit for an advent 'rous knight.' 

11. 'Vaine glorious Elfe,' (said he) 'doest not thou weet, 3 
That money can thy wantes at will supply? 

Sheilds, steeds, and armes, and all things for thee meet, 

It can purvay in twinckling of an eye; 

And crownes and kingdomes to thee multiply. 

Do not I kings create, and throw the crowne 

Sometimes to him that low in dust doth ly, 

And him that raignd into his rowme thrust downe, 

And whom I lust 4 do heape with glory and renowne?' 

12. 'All otherwise' (saide he) 'I riches read, 
And deeme them roote of all disquietnesse; 

First got with guile, and then preserv'd with dread, 

And after spent with pride and lavishnesse, 

Leaving behind them griefe and heavinesse: 

Infinite mischief es of them doe arize, 

Strife and debate, bloodshed and bitternesse, 

Outrageous wrong, and hellish covetize, 

That noble heart as great dishonour doth despize. 

13. 'Ne thine be kingdomes, ne the scepters thine; 
But realmes and rulers thou doest both confound, 
And loyall truth to treason doest incline : 
Witnesse the guiltlesse blood pourd oft on ground, 

1 Dare-doing, bold. 2 Blind. 3 Know. 4 Please. 



110 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

The crowned often slaine, the slayer cround; 

The sacred Diademe in peeces rent, 

And purple robe gored with many a wound, 

Castles surprizd, great cities sackt and brent: 

So mak'st thou kings, and gaynest wrongfull government. 

14. ' Long were to tell the troublous stormes that tosse 
The private state, and make the life unsweet: 
Who swelling sayles in Caspian sea doth crosse, 
And in frayle wood on Adrian gulf doth fleet, 
Doth not, I weene, so many evils meet.' 

Then Mammon wexing wroth; 'And why then,' sayd, 

'Are mortall men so fond and undiscreet 

So evill thing to seeke unto their ayd, 

And having not complaine, and having it upbrayd?' 

15. 'Indeede/ (quoth he) 'through fowle intemperaunce, 
Frayle men are oft captiv'd to covet ise; 
But would they thinke with how small allowaunce 
Untroubled Nature doth her selfe suffise, 
Such superfluities they would despise, 
Which with sad cares empeach our native joyes. 
At the well-head the purest streames arise; 
But mucky filth his braunching armes annoyes, 
And with uncomely weedes the gentle wave accloyes. 1 

16. 'The antique world, in his first flowring youth, 
Fownd no defect in his Creators grace; 
But with glad thankes, and unreproved truth, 
The guif ts of soveraine bounty did embrace : 
Like Angels life was then mens happy cace; 
But later ages pride, like corn-fed steed, 
Abusd her plenty and fat swolne encreace 
To all licentious lust, and gan exceed 
The measure of her meane and naturall first need. 

17. 'Then gan a cursed hand the quiet wombe 
Of his great Grandmother with Steele to wound, 
And the hid treasures in her sacred tombe 
With Sacriledge to dig. Therein he fownd 



Canto VII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 111 

Fountaines of gold and silver to abownd, 

Of which the matter of his huge desire 

And pompous pride eftsoones he did compownd; 

Then avarice gan through his veines inspire 

His greedy flames, and kindled life-devouring fire/ 

18. 'Sonne/ (said he then) 'lett be thy bitter scorne, 
And leave the rudenesse of that antique age 

To them that liv'd therin in state forlorne: 
Thou, that doest live in later times, must wage 
Thy workes for wealth, and life for gold engage. 
If then thee list my offred grace to use, 
Take what thou please of all this surplusage; 
If thee list not, leave have thou to refuse: 
But thing refused doe not afterward accuse.' 

19. 'Me list not' (said the Elfin knight) 'receave 
Thing offred, till I know it well be gott ; 

Ne wote I but thou didst these goods bereave 

From rightfull owner by unrighteous lott, 

Or that bloodguiltinesse of guile them blott.' 

'Perdy/ (quoth he) 'yet never eie did vew, 

Ne tong did tell, ne hand these handled not; 

But safe I have them kept in secret mew 1 

From hevens sight, and powre of al which them poursew.' 

20. 'What secret place' (quoth he) 'can safely hold 
So huge a masse, and hide from heavens eie? 

Or where hast thou thy wonne, 2 that so much gold 
Thou canst preserve from wrong and robbery?' 
'Come thou/ (quoth he) 'and see/ So by and by 
Through that thick covert he him led, and fownd 
A darkesome way, which no man could descry, 
That deep descended through the hollow grownd, 
And was with dread and horror compassed arownd. 

21. At length they came into a larger space, 
That stretcht itself e into an ample playne; 
Through which a beaten broad high way did trace, 
That streight did lead to Plutoes griesly rayne. 

1 Confinement. 2 Dwelling. 



112 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

By that wayes side there sate internall Payne, 

And fast beside him sat tumultuous Strife: 

The one in hand an yron whip did strayne, 

The other brandished a bloody knife; 

And both did gnash their teeth, and both did threten life. 

22. On thother side in one consort there sate 
Cruell Revenge, and rancorous Despight, 
Disloyall Treason, and hart-burning Hate; 
But gnawing Gealosy, out of their sight 
Sitting alone, his bitter lips did bight; 
And trembling Feare still to and fro did fly, 

And found no place wher safe he shroud him might : 

Lamenting Sorrow did in darknes lye, 

And shame his ugly face did hide from living eye 

23. And over them sad horror with grim hew 
Did alwaies sore, beating his yron wings; 
And after him Owles and Night-ravens flew, 
The hatefull messengers of heavy things, 
Of death and dolor telling sad tidings; 
Whiles sad Celeno, sitting on a clifte, 

A song of bale and bitter sorrow sings, 
That hart of flint asonder could have rifte; 
Which having ended after him she flyeth swifte. 

24. All these before the gates of Pluto lay, 

By whom they passing spake unto them nought; 

But th' Elfin knight with wonder all the way 

Did feed his eyes, and fild his inner thought. 

At last him to a litle dore he brought, 

That to the gate of Hell, which gaped wide, 

Was next adjoyning, ne them parted ought 1 : 

Betwixt them both was but a litle stride, 

That did the house of Richesse from hell-mouth divide, 

25. Before the dore sat selfe-consuming Care, 
Day and night keeping wary watch and ward, 
For feare least Force or Fraud should unaware 
Breake in, and spoile the treasure there in gard: 

1 Aught, at all. 



Canto VII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 113 

Ne would he suffer Sleepe once thitherward 

Approch, albe 1 his drowsy den were next; 

For next to death is Sleepe to be compard; 

Therefore his house is unto his annext: 

Here Sleep, ther Richesse, and Hel-gate them both betwext. 

26. So soon as Mammon there arrivd, the dore 
To him did open and affoorded way: 
Him followed eke 2 Sir Guyon evermore, 

Ne darkenesse him, ne daunger might dismay. 
Soone as he entred was, the dore streight way 
Did shutt, and from behind it forth there lept 
An ugly feend, more fowle then dismall day, 
The which with monstrous stalke behind him stept 
And ever as he went dew watch upon him kept. 

27. Well hoped hee, ere long that hardy guest, 
If ever covetous hand, or lustfull eye, 

Or lips he layd on thing that likte him best, 
Or ever sleepe his eie-strings did untye, 
Should be his pray. And therefore still on hye 
He over him did hold his cruell clawes; 
Threatning with greedy gripe to doe him dye, 
And rend in peeces with his ravenous pawes, 
If ever he transgrest the fatall Stygian lawes 

28. That houses forme within was rude and strong, 
Lyke an huge cave hewne out of rocky clifte, 
From whose rough vaut 3 the ragged breaches hong 
Embost with massy gold of glorious guifte, 

And with rich metall loaded every rifte, 

That heavy ruine they did seeme to threatt; 

And over them Arachne high did lifte 

Her cunning web, and spred her subtile nett, 

Enwrapped in fowle smoke and clouds more black, then Jett. 

29. Both roofe, and floore, and walls, were all of gold, 
But overgrowne with dust and old decay, 

And hid in darkenes, that none could behold 
The hew thereof; for vew of cherefull day 

1 Although. 2 Also. * Vault. 



114 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

Did never in that house it selfe display, 

But a faint shadow of uncertein light: 

Such as a lamp, whose life does fade away, 

Or as the Moone, cloathed with clowdy night, 

Does show to him that walkes in feare and sad affright. 

30. In all that rowme was nothing to be seene 
But huge great yron chests, and coffers strong, 
All bard with double bends, that none could weene 
Them to efforce by violence or wrong: 

On every side they placed were along; 

But all the grownd with sculs was scattered, 

And dead mens bones, which round about were flong; 

Whose lives, it seemed, whilome there were shed, 

And their vile carcases now left unburied. 

31. They forward passe; ne Guyon yet spoke word, 
Till that they came unto an yron dore, 
Which to them opened of his owne accord, 
And shewd of richesse such exceeding store, 

As eie of man did never see before, 
Ne ever could within one place be fOwnd, 
Though all the wealth which is, or was of yore, 
Could gathered be through all the world arownd, 
And that above were added to that under grownd. 

32. The charge thereof unto a covetous Spright 
Commaunded was, who thereby did attend, 
And warily awaited day and night, 

From other covetous feends it to defend, 
Who it to rob and ransacke did intend. 
Then Mammon, turning to that warriour, said; 
'Loe! here the worldes blis: loe! here the end, 
To which al men doe ayme, rich to be made: 
Such grace now to be happy is before thee laid/ 

33. 'Certes/ (sayd he) 'I n'ill 1 thine offred grace, 
Ne to be made so happy doe intend: 
Another blis before mine eyes I place, 
Another happines, another end. 



Canto VII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 115 

To them that list these base regardes I lend; 

But I in armes, and in atchievements brave, 

Do rather choose my flitting houres to spend, 

And to be Lord of those that riches have, 

Then them to have my selfe, and be their servile sclave.' 

34. Thereat the feend his gnashing teeth did grate, 
And griev'd so long to lacke his greedie pray; 
For well he weened that so glorious bayte 
Would tempt his guest to take thereof assay; 
Had he so doen, he had him snatcht away, 
More light then Culver in the Faulcons fist. 
Eternall God thee save from such decay! 
But, whenas Mammon saw his purpose mist, 
Him to entrap unwares another way he wist. 

35. Thence forward he him ledd, and shortly brought 
Unto another rowme, whose dore forthright 

To him did open, as it had beene taught. 
Therein an hundred raunges weren pight, 1 
And hundred fournaces all burning bright: 
By every fournace many feendes did byde, 
Deformed creatures, horrible in sight; 
And every feend his busie paines applyde 
To melt the golden metall, ready to be tryde. 

36. One with great bellowes gathered filling ayre, 
And with forst wind the fewell did inflame; 
Another did the dying bronds repayre 

With yron tongs, and sprinckled ofte the same 

With liquid waves, fiers Vulcans rage to tame, 

Who, maystring them, renewd his former heat : 

Some scumd'the drosse that from the metall came; 

Some stird the molten owre with ladles great; 

And every one did swincke, 2 and every one did sweat. 

37. But, when an earthly wight they present saw 
Glistring in armes and battailous aray, 

From their whot 3 work they did themselves withdraw 
To wonder at the sight; for till that day 



116 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

They never creature saw that cam that way: 

Their staring eyes sparckling with fervent fyre 

And ugly shapes did nigh the man dismay, 

That, were it not for shame, he would retyre; 

Till that him thus bespake their soveraine Lord and syre; 

38. 'Behold, thou Faeries sonne, with mortall eye, 
That living eye before did never see. 

The thing, that thou didst crave so earnestly, 

To weet whence all the wealth late shewd by mee 

Proceeded, lo! now is reveald to thee. 

Here is the fountaine of the worldes good: 

Now, therefore, if thou wilt enriched bee, 

Avise thee well, and chaunge thy wilfull mood, 

Least thou perhaps hereafter wish, and be withstood.' 

39. 'Suffise it then, thou Money God,' (quoth hee) 
'That all thine ydle offers I refuse. 

All that I need I have: what needeth mee 

To covet more^then I have cause to use? 

With such vaine shewes thy worldlinges vyle abuse; 

But give me leave to follow mine emprise.' 

Mammon was much displeasd, yet no'te 1 he chuse 

But.beare the rigour of his bold mesprise; 

And thence him forward ledd him further to entise. 

40. He brought him, through a darksom narrow strayt, 
To a broad gate all built of beaten gold : 

The gate was open; but therein did wayt 

A sturdie villein, stryding stiffe and bold, 

As if the highest God defy he would: 

In his right hand an yron club he held, 

But he himselfe was all of golden mould, 

Yet had both life and sence, and well could weld 

That cursed weapon, when his cruell foes he queld. 

41. Disdayne he called was, and did disdayne 
To be so cald, and who so did him call: 

Sterne was his looke, and full of stomacke 2 vayne; 
His portaunce 3 terrible, and stature tall, 

1 Might he not. 2 Anger. 3 Carriage. 



Canto VII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 117 

Far passing th' hight of men terrestriall, 

Like an huge Gyant of the Titans race; 

That made him scorne all creatures great and small, 

And with his pride all others powre deface : 

More fitt emongst black fiends then men to have his place. 

42. Soone as those glitterand armes he did espye, 

That with their brightnesse made that darknes light, 

His harmefull club he gan to hurtle hye, 

And threaten batteill to the Faery knight; 

Who likewise gan himselfe to batteill dight, 1 

Till Mammon did his hasty hand withhold, 

And counseld him abstaine from perilous fight; 

For nothing might abash the villein bold, 

Ne mortall Steele emperce his miscreated mould. 

43. So having him with reason pacifyde, 

And that fiers Carle commaunding to forbeare, 

He brought him in. The rowme was large and wyde, 

As it some Gyeld 2 or solemne Temple weare. 

Many great golden pillours did upbeare 

The massy roofe, and riches huge sustayne; 

And every pillour decked was full deare 

With crownes, and Diademes, and titles vaine, 

Which mortall Princes wore whiles they on earth did rayne. 

44. A route of people there assembled were, 
Of every sort and nation under skye, 

Which with great uprore preaced 3 to draw nere 

To th' upper part, where was advaunced hye 

A stately siege of soveraine majestye; 

And thereon satt a woman, gorgeous gay 

And richly cladd in robes of royaltye, 

That never earthly Prince in such aray 

His glory did enhaunce, and pompous pryde display. 

45. Her face right wondrous faire did seeme to bee, 
That her broad beauties beam great brightnes threw 
Through the dim shade, that all men might it see : 
Yet was not that same her owne native hew, 

i Prepare. 2 Guild hall. 3 Pressed. 



118 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

But wrought by art and counterfetted shew, 

Thereby more lovers unto her to call: 

Nath'lesse most hevenly faire in deed and vew 

She by creation was, till she did fall; 

Thenceforth she sought for helps to cloke her crime withall. 

46. There, as in glistring glory she did sitt, 
She held a great gold chaine ylincked well, 
Whose upper end to highest heven was knitt, 
And lower part did reach to lowest Hell; 

And all that preace 1 did rownd about her swell 
To catchen hold of that long chaine, thereby 
To climbe aloft, and others to excell: 
That was Ambition, rash desire to sty, 2 
And every linck thereof a step of dignity. 

47. Some thought to raise themselves to high degree 
By riches and unrighteous reward; 

Some by close shouldring; some by flatteree; 
Others through friendes; others for base regard, 
And all by wrong waies for themselves prepard : 
Those that were up themselves kept others low; 
Those that were low themselves held others hard, 
Ne suffred them to ryse or greater grow; 
But every one did strive his fellow downe to throw. 

48. Which whenas Guyon saw, he gan inquire, 
What meant that preace about that Ladies throne, 
And what she was that did so high aspyre? 
Him Mammon answered; 'That goodly one, 
Whom all that f olke with such contention 
Doe flock about, my deare, my daughter is: 
Honour and dignitie from her alone 
Derived are, and all this worldes blis, 
For which ye men doe strive; few gett, but many mis: 

49. ' And fayre Philotime she rightly hight, 
The fairest wight that wonneth under skie, 
But that this darksom neather world her light 
Doth dim with horror and deformity; 






Canto VII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 119 

Worthie of heven and hye felicitie, 

From whence the gods have her for envy thrust: 

But, sith thou hast found favour in mine eye, 

Thy spouse I will her make, if that thou lust, 1 

That she may thee advance for works and merits just/ 

50. 'Gramercy, Mammon/ (said the gentle knight) 
'For so great grace and off red high estate; 

But I, that am fraile flesh and earthly wight, 

Unworthy match for such immortall mate 

My selfe well wote, and mine unequall fate: 

And were I not, yet is my trouth yplight, 

And love avowd to other Lady late, 

That to remove the same I have no might: 

To chaunge love causelesse is reproch to warlike knight.' 

51. Mammon emmoved was with inward wrath; 
Yet, forcing it to fayne, him forth thence ledd, 
Through griesly shadowes by a beaten path, 
Into a gardin goodly garnished 

With hearbs and fruits, whose kinds mote not be redd: 
Not such as earth out of her fruitfull woomb 
Throwes forth to men, sweet and well savored, 
But direfull deadly black, both leafe and bloom, 
Fitt to adorne the dead, and deck the drery toombe. 

52. There mournfull Cypresse grew in greatest store, 
And trees of bitter Gall, and Heben sad; 

Dead sleeping Poppy, and black Hellebore; 

Cold Coloquintida, and Tetra mad; 

Mortall Samnitis, and Cicuta bad, 

With which th' unjust Atheniens made to dy 

Wise Socrates; who, thereof quaffing glad, 

Pourd out his life and last Philosophy 

To the fayre Critias, his dearest Belamy! 

53. The Gardin of Proserpina this hight; 
And in the midst thereof a silver seat, 
With a thick Arber goodly over-dight, 
In which she often usd from open heat 

1 List, please. 






120 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

Her selfe to shroud, and pleasures to entreat: 
Next thereunto did grow a goodly tree, 
With braunches broad dispredd and body great, 
Clothed with leaves, that none the wood mote see, 
And loaden all with fruit as thick as it might bee. 

54. Their fruit were golden apples glistring bright, 
That goodly was their glory to behold;. 

On earth like never grew, ne living wight 
Like ever saw, but they from hence were sold; 
For those which Hercules, with conquest bold 
Got from great Atlas daughters, hence began, 
And planted there did bring forth fruit of gold; 
And those with which th' Eubcean young man wan 1 
Swift Atalanta, when through craft he her out ran. 

55. Here also sprong that goodly golden fruit, 
With which Acontius got his lover trew, 

Whom he had long time sought with fruitlesse suit: 

Here eke that famous golden Apple grew, 

The which emongst the gods false Ate threw; 

For which th' Idsean Ladies disagreed, 

Till partiall Paris dempt 2 it Venus dew, 

And had of her fayre Helen for his meed, 

That many noble Greekes and Trojans made to bleed. 

56. The warlike Elfe much wondred at this tree, 

So fayre and great that shadowed all the ground, 

And his broad braunches, laden with rich fee, 

Did stretch themselves without the utmost bound 

Of this great gardin, compast with a mound; 

Which over-hanging they themselves did steepe 

In a blacke flood, which flow'd about it round. 

That is the river of Cocytus deepe, 

In which full many soules do endlesse wayle and weepe. 

57. Which to behold he clomb up to the bancke, 
And looking downe saw many damned wightes 

In those sad waves, which direfull deadly stancke, 
Plonged continually of cruell Sprightes, 

i Won. 2 Judged. 



Canto VII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 121 

That with their piteous cryes, and yelling shrightes, 1 
They made the further shore resounden wide. 
Emongst the rest of those same ruefull sightes, 
One cursed creature he by chaunce espide, 
That drenched lay full deepe under the Garden side. 

58. Deepe was he drenched to the upmost chin, 
Yet gaped still as coveting to drinke 

Of the cold liquor, which he waded in; 
And stretching forth his hand did often thinke 
To reach the fruit which grew upon the brincke; 
But both the fruit from hand, and flood from mouth, 
Did fly abacke, and made him vainely swincke; 2 
The whiles he sterv'd with hunger, and with drouth, 
He daily dyde, yet never throughly dyen couth. 3 

59. The knight, him seeing labour so in vaine, 
Askt who he was, and what he ment thereby? 
Who, groning deepe, thus answerd him againe; 
' Most cursed of all creatures under skye, 

Lo! Tantalus, I here tormented lye: 

Of whom high Jove wont whylome feasted bee; 

Lo ! here I now for want of food doe dye : 

But, if that thou be such as I thee see, 

Of grace I pray thee, give to eat and drinke to mee ! ' 

60. 'Nay, nay, thou greedy Tantalus/ (quoth he) 
'Abide the fortune of thy present fate; 

And unto all that live in high degree, 

Ensample be of mind intemperate, 

To teach them how to use their present state.' 

Then gan the cursed wretch alowd to cry, 

Accusing highest Jove and gods ingrate; 

And eke blaspheming heaven bitterly, 

As author of unjustice, there to let him dye. 

61. He lookt a litle further, and espyde 
Another wretch, whose carcas deepe was drent 4 
Within the river, which the same did hyde; 
But both his handes, most filthy feculent, 



122 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

Above the water were on high extent, 
And faynd to wash themselves incessantly, 
Yet nothing cleaner were for such intent, 
But rather fowler seemed to the eye; 
So lost his labour vaine and ydle industry. 

62. The knight him calling asked who he was? 
Who, lifting up his head, him answerd thus; 
'I Pilate am, the falsest Judge, alas! 

And most unjust; that, by unrighteous 

And wicked doome, to Jewes despiteous 

Delivered up the Lord of life to dye, 

And did acquite a murdrer felonous; 

The whiles my handes I washt in purity, 

The whiles my soule was soyld with fowle iniquity. ' 

63. Infinite moe tormented in like paine 

He there beheld, too long here to be told : 
Ne Mammon would there let him long remayne, 
For terrour of the tortures manifold, 
In which the damned soules he did behold, 
But roughly him bespake: 'Thou fearefull foole, 
Why takest not of that same fruite of gold? 
Ne sittest downe on that same silver stoole, 
To rest thy weary person in the shadow coole? ' 

64. All which he did to do him deadly fall 

In frayle intemperaunce through sinfull bayt; 

To which if he inclyned had at all, 

That dreadfull feend, which did behinde him wayt, 

Would him have rent in thousand peeces strayt: 

But he was wary wise in all his way, 

And well perceived his deceiptfull sleight, 

Ne suffred lust his safety to betray. 

So goodly did beguile the Guyler of his pray. 

65. And now he has so long remained theare, 

That vitall powres gan wexe both weake and wan 
For want of food and sleepe, which two upbeare, 
Like mightie pillours, this frayle life of man, 



Canto VIII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 123 

That none without the same enduren can: 

For now three dayes of men were full outwrought, 

Since he this hardy enterprize began: 

Forthy 1 great Mammon fayrely he besought 

Into the world to guyde him backe, as he him brought. 

66. The God, though loth, yet was constraynd t' obay; 
For lenger time then that no living wight 
Below the earth might suffred be to stay: 
So backe againe him brought to living light. 
But all so soone as his enfeebled spright 
Gan sucke this vitall ayre into his brest, 
As overcome with too exceeding might, 
The life did flit away out of her nest, 
And all his sences were with deadly fit opprest. 

CANTO VIII 

Sir Guyon, layd in swowne, is by 

Aerates sonnes despoyld; 
Whom Arthure soone hath reskewed, 

And Paynim brethren foyld. 

1. And is there care in heaven? And is there love 
In heavenly spirits to these creatures bace, 
That may compassion of their evilles move? 
There is: else much more wretched were the cace 
Of men then beasts. But O! th' exceeding grace 
Of highest God that loves his creatures so, 

And all his workes with mercy doth embrace, 

That blessed Angels he sends to and fro, 

To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe. 

2. How oft do they their silver bowers leave, 
To come to succour us that succour want ! 
How oft do they with golden pineons cleave 
The flitting skyes, like flying Pursuivant, 
Against fowle feendes to ayd us militant! 
They for us fight, they watch and dewly ward, 
And their bright Squadrons round about us plant; 
And all for love, and nothing for reward. 

O! why should hevenly God to men have such regard? 
1 Therefore. 



124 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

3. During the while that Guyon did abide 

In Mamons house, the Palmer, whom whyleare 

That wanton Mayd of passage had denide, 

By further search had passage found elsewhere; 

And, being on his way, approched neare 

Where Guyon lay in traunce; when suddeinly 

He heard a voyce that called lowd and cleare, 

'Come hither! hither! O, come hastily!' 

That all the fields resounded with the ruefull cry. 

4. The Palmer lent his eare unto the noyce, 
To weet who called so importunely: 
Againe he heard a more efforced voyce, 
That bad him come in haste. He by and by 
His feeble feet directed to the cry; 
Which to that shady delve 1 him brought at last, 
Where Mammon earst did sunne his threasury; 
There the good Guyon he found slumbring fast 
In senceles dreame; which sight at first him sore aghast. 

5. Beside his head there satt a faire young man, 
Of wondrous beauty and of freshest yeares, 
Whose tender bud to blossome new began, 
And florish faire above his equall peares: 
His snowy front, curled with golden heares, 
Like Phcebus face adornd with sunny rayes, 
Divinely shone; and two sharpe winged sheares, 
Decked with diverse plumes, like painted Jayes, 
Were fixed at his backe to cut his ayery wayes. 

6. Like as Cupido on Idaean hill, 

When having laid his cruell bow away 
And mortall arrowes, wherewith he doth fill 
The world with murdrous spoiles and bloody pray, 
With his faire mother he him dights to play, 
And with his goodly sisters, Graces three: 
The Goddesse, pleased with his wanton play, 
Suffers her selfe through sleepe beguild to bee, 
The whiles the other Ladies mind theyr mery glee. 



Canto VIII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 125 

7. Whom when the Palmer saw, abasht he was 
Through fear and wonder that he nought could say, 
Till him the childe bespoke; 'Longlackt, alas! 
Hath bene thy faithfull aide in hard assay, 
Whiles deadly fitt thy pupill doth dismay. 
Behold this heavy sight, thou reverend Sire! 

But dread of death and dolor doe away; 
For life ere long shall to her home retire, 
And he that breathlesse seems shal corage both respire. 

8. 'The charge, which God doth unto me arrett, 1 
Of his deare safety, I to thee commend; 

Yet will I not forgoe, ne yet forgett 

The care thereof my selfe unto the end, 

But evermore him succour, and defend 

Against his foe and mine : watch thou, I pray; 

For evill is at hand him to offend.' 

So having said, eftsoones he gan display 

His painted nimble wings, and vanisht quite away. 

9. The Palmer seeing his lefte empty place, 
And his slow eies beguiled of their sight, 
Woxe sore affraid, and standing still a space 
Gaz'd after him, as fowle escapt by flight. 
At last, him turning to his charge benight, 2 
With trembling hand his troubled pulse gan try; 
Where finding life not yet dislodged quight, 

He much rejoyst, and courd 3 it tenderly, 

As chicken newly hatcht, from dreaded destiny. 

10. At last he spide where towards him did pace 
Two Paynim knights al armd as bright as skie, 
And them beside an aged Sire did trace, 
And far before a light-foote Page did flie, 
That breathed strife and troublous enmitie. 
Those were the two sonnes of Aerates old, 
Who, meeting earst with Archimago slie 
Foreby that idle strond, of him were told 
That he which earst them combatted was Guyon bold. 

1 Reckon, impute. 2 Ordained. 3 Covered, protected. 



126 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

11. Which to avenge on him they dearly vowd, 
Where ever that on ground they mote him find: 
False Archimage provokte their corage prowd, 
And stryful Atin in their stubborne mind 

Coles of contention and whot vengeaunce tind. 1 
Now bene they come whereas the Palmer sate, 
Keeping that slombred corse to him assind: 
Well knew they both his person, sith of late 
With him in bloody armes they rashly did debate. 

12. Whom when Pyrochles saw, inflam'd with rage 
That sire he fowl bespake: 'Thou dotard vile, 
That with thy brutenesse shendst 2 thy comely age, 
Abandon soone, I read, the caytive spoile 

Of that same outcast carcas, that erewhile 
Made it selfe famous through false trechery, 
And crownd his coward crest with knighty stile; 
Loe! where he now inglorious doth lye, 
To proove he lived il that did thus fowly dye.' 

13. To whom the Palmer fearlesse answered: 
'Certes, Sir Knight, ye bene too much to blame, 
Thus for to blott the honor of the dead, 

And with fowle cowardize his carcas shame, 
Whose living handes immortalizd his name. 
Vile is the vengeaunce on the ashes cold, 
And envy base to barke at sleeping fame. 
Was never wight that treason of him told : 
Your self his prowesse prov'd, and found him fiers and 
bold.' 

14. Then sayd Cymochles : ' Palmer, thou doest dote, 
Ne canst of prowesse ne of knighthood deeme, 
Save as thou seest or hearst. But well I wote, 
That of his puissaunce tryall made extreeme : 
Yet gold al is not that doth golden seeme; 

Ne all good knights that shake well speare and shield. 

The worth of all men by their end esteeme, 

And then dew praise or dew reproch them yield; 

Bad therefore I him deeme that thus lies dead on field.' 

1 Lighted. 2 Shamest. 






Canto VIII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 127 

15. 'Good or bad/ gan his brother tiers reply, 
'What doe I recke, sith that he dide- entire? 
Or what doth his bad death now satisfy 
The greedy hunger of revenging yre, 

Sith wrathfull hand wrought not her owne desire? 

Yet since no way is lefte to wreake my spight, 

I will him reave of armes, the victors hire, 

And of that shield, more worthy of good knight; 

For why should a dead dog be deckt in armour bright?' 

16. 'Fayr Sir,' said then the Palmer suppliaunt, 

' For knighthoods love doe not so fowle a deed, 

Ne blame your honor with so shamefull vaunt 

Of vile revenge. To spoile the dead of weed 

Is sacrilege, and doth all sinnes exceed: 

But leave these relicks of his living might 

To decke his herce, and trap his tomb-blacke steed.' 

'What herce or steed' (said he) 'should he have dight, 

But be entombed in the raven or the kight?' 

17. With that, rude hand upon his shield he laid, 
And th' other brother gan his helme unlace, 
Both fiercely bent to have him disaraid; 

Till that they spyde where towards them did pace 
An armed knight, of bold and bounteous grace, 
Whose squire bore after him an heben launce 
And coverd shield. Well kend him so far space 
Th' enchaunter by his armes and amenaunce, 1 
When under him he saw his Lybian steed to praunce; 

18. And to those brethren sayd; 'Rise, rise bylive, 2 
And unto batteil doe your selves addresse; 

For yonder comes the prowest 3 knight alive, 

Prince Arthur, flowre of grace and nobilesse, 

That hath to Paynim knights wrought gret distresse, 

And thousand Sar'zins fowly donne to dye.' 

That word so deepe did in their harts impresse, 

That both eftsoones upstarted furiously, 

And gan themselves prepare to batteill greedily. 

1 Mien. 2 Quickly 3 Bravest. 



128 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

19. But fiers Pyrochles, lacking his owne sword, 
The want thereof now greatly gan to plaine, 
And Archimage besought, him that afford 
Which he had brought for Braggadochio vaine. 
'So would 1/ (said th' enchaunter) 'glad and faine 
Beteeme 1 to you this sword, you to defend, 

Or ought that els your honour might maintaine; 
But that this weapons powre I well have kend 
To be contrary to the worke which ye intend: 

20. 'For that same knights owne sword this is, of yore 
Which Merlin made by his almightie art 
For that his noursling, when he knighthood swore, 
Therewith to doen his foes eternall smart, 
The metall first he mixt with Medaewart, 
That no enchauntment from his dint might save; 
Then it in flames of Aetna wrought apart, 
And seven times dipped in the bitter wave 
Of hellish Styx, which hidden vertue to it gave. 

21. 'The vertue is, that nether Steele nor stone 
The stroke thereof from entraunce may defend; 
Ne ever may be used by his fone, 2 
Ne forst his rightful owner to offend; 
Ne ever will it breake, ne ever bend: 
Wherefore Morddure it rightfully is hight. 3 
In vaine therefore, Pyrochles, should I lend 
The same to thee, against his lord to fight; 
For sure yt would deceive thy labor and thy might.' 

22. 'Foolish old man,' said then the Pagan wroth, 
' That weenest words or charms may force withstond : 
Soone shalt thou see, and then beleeve for troth, 
That I can carve with this inchaunted brond 
His Lords owne flesh.' Therewith out of his hond 
That vertuous Steele he rudely snatcht away, 
And Guyons shield about his wrest he bond: 
So ready dight fierce battaile to assay, 
And match his brother proud in battailous aray. 

1 Grant. 2 Foes. 3 Called. 



Canto VIII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 129 

23. By this, that straunger knight in presence came, 
And goodly salued them; who nought againe 
Him answered, as courtesie became; 

But with sterne lookes, and stomachous 1 disdaine, 

Gave signes of grudge and discontentment vaine. 

Then, turning to the Palmer, he gan spy 

Where at his feet, with sorrowfull demayne 

And deadly hew, an armed corse did lye, 

In whose dead face he redd great magnanimity. 

24. Sayd he then to the Palmer: 'Reverend Syre, 
What great misfortune hath betidd this knight? 
Or did his life her fatall date expyre, 

Or did he fall by treason, or by fight? 

How ever, sure I rew his pitteous plight.' 

'Not one, nor other/ sayd the Palmer grave, 

'Hath him befalne; but cloudes of deadly night 

A while his heavy eylids cover 'd have, 

And all his sences drowned in deep sencelesse wave: 

25. 'Which those his cruell foes, that stand hereby, 
Making advauntage, # to revenge their spight, 
Would him disarme and treaten shamefully; 
Unworthie usage of redoubted knight. 

But you, faire Sir, whose honourable sight 

Doth promise hope of helpe and timely grace, 

Mote I beseech to succour his sad plight, 

And by your powre protect his feeble cace? 

First prayse of knighthood is fowle outrage to deface.' 

26. 'Palmer,' (said he) 'no knight so rude, I weene, 
As to doen outrage to a sleeping ghost; 

Ne was there ever noble corage seene, 

That in advauntage would his puissaunce bost: 

Honour is least where oddes appeareth most. 

May bee, that better reason will aswage 

The rash revengers heat. Words, well dispost, 

Have secrete powre t' appease inflamed rage: 

If not, leave unto me thy knights last patronage.' 

i Angry. 



130 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

27. Tho, 1 turning to those brethren, thus bespoke: 
'Ye warlike payre, whose valorous great might, 

It seemes, just wronges to vengeaunce doe provoke, 

To wreake your wrath on this dead seeming knight, 

Mote ought allay the storme of your despight, 

And settle patience in so furious heat? 

Not to debate the chalenge of your right, 

But for his carkas pardon I entreat, 

Whom fortune hath already laid in lowest seat.' 

28. To whom Cymochles said; 'For what art thou, 
That mak'st thy selfe his dayes-man, 2 to prolong 
The vengeaunce prest 3 ? Or who shall let 4 me now 
On this vile body from to wreak my wrong, 

And made his carkas as the outcast dong? 

Why should not that dead carrion satisfye 

The guilt which, if he lived had thus long, 

His life for dew revenge should deare abye 5 ? 

The trespass still doth live, albee the person dye.' 

29. 'Indeed/ then said the Prince, 'the evill donne 
Dyes not, when breath the body»first doth leave; 
But from the grandsyre to the Nephewes sonne, 
And all his seede the curse doth often cleave, 
Till vengeaunce utterly the guilt bereave: 

So streightly God doth judge. But gentle Knight 

That doth against the dead his hand upheave, 

His honour staines with rancour and despight, 

And great disparagment makes to his former might.' 

30. Pyrochles gan reply the second tyme, 
And to him said: 'Now, felon, sure I read, 
How that thou art partaker of his cryme : 
Therefore, by Termagaunt thou shalt be dead.' 
With that his hand, more sad then lomp of lead, 
Uplifting high, he weened with Morddure, 

His owne good sword Morddure, to cleave his head. 

The faithfull Steele such treason no'uld 6 endure, 

But, swarving from the marke, his Lordes life did assure, 

1 Then. 2 Umpire. 3 Prepared. 

4 Prevent. 5 Pay for. Would not. 



Canto VIII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 131 

31. Yet was the force so furious and so fell, 
That horse and man it made to reele asyde: 
Nath'lesse the Prince would not forsake his sell, 1 
For well of yore he learned had to ryde, 

But full of anger fiersly to him cryde; 

'False traitour! miscreaunt! thou broken hast 

The law of armes to strike foe undefide : 

But thou thy treasons fruit, I hope, shalt taste 

Right sowre, and feele the law the which thou hast defast. 5 

32. With that his balefull speare he fiercely bent 
Against the Pagans brest, and therewith thought 
His cursed life out of her lodge have rent; 

But ere the point arrived where it ought, 

That seven fold shield, which he from Guyon brought, 

He cast between to ward the bitter stownd: 

Through all those foldes the steelehead passage wrought, 

And through his shoulder perst; wherwith to ground 

He groveling fell, all gored in his gushing wound. 

33. Which when his brother saw, fraught with great griefe 
And wrath, he to him leaped furiously, 

And fowly saide: 'By Mahoune, cursed thiefe, 

That direfull stroke thou dearely shalt aby 2 :' 

Then, hurling up his harmefull blade on hy, 

Smote him so hugely on his haughtie crest, 

That from his saddle forced him to fly; 

Els mote 3 it needes downe to his manly brest 

Have cleft his head in twaine, and life thence dispossest. 

34. Now was the Prince in daungerous distresse, 
Wanting his sword when he on foot should fight : 
His single speare could doe him small redresse 
Against two foes of so exceeding might, 

The least of which was match for any knight. 
And now the other, whom he earst did daunt, 
Had reard him selfe againe to cruel fight 
Three times more furious and more puissaunt, 
Unmindfull of his wound, of his fate ignoraunt. 

i Saddle. 2 Pay for. 3 Must. 



132 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

35. So both attonce him charge on either syde 
With hideous strokes and importable 1 powre, 
That forced him his ground to traverse wyde, 
And wisely watch to ward that deadly stowre 2 ; 
For in his shield, as thicke as stormie showre, 
Their strokes did raine : yet did he never quaile, 
Ne backward shrinke, but as a stedfast towre, 
Whom foe with double battry doth assaile, 

Them on her bulwarke beares, and bids them nought availe 

36. So stoutly he withstood their strong assay; 
Till that at last, when he advantage spyde, 
His poynant speare he thrust with puissant sway 
At proud Cymochles, whiles his shield was wyde, 
That through his thigh the mortall Steele did gryde 3 : 
He, swarving with the force, within his flesh 
Did breake the launce, and let the head abyde. 
Out of the wound the red blood flowed fresh, 
That underneath his feet soone made a purple plesh. 4 

37. Horribly then he gan to rage and rayle, 
Cursing his Gods, and him selfe damning deepe : 
Als when his brother saw the red blood rayle 5 
Adowne so fast, and all his armour steepe, 

For very felnesse 6 lowd he gan to weepe, 
And said; 'Caytive, curse on thy cruell hond, 
That twise hath spedd; yet shall it not thee keepe 
From the third brunt of this my fatall brond: 
Lo! where the dreadfull Death behynd thy backe doth 
stond.' 

38. With that he strooke, and thother strooke withall, 
That nothing seemd mote beare so monstrous might: 
The one upon his covered shield did fall, 

And glauncing downe would not his owner byte; 

But thother did upon his troncheon 7 smyte; 

Which hewing quite asunder, further way 

It made, and on his hacqueton 8 did lyte, 

The which dividing with importune sway, 

It seizd in his right side, and there the dint did stay. 

1 Unbearable. 2 Attack. 3 Pierce. 4 Pool. 

6 Flow. • 6 Fierceness. 7 Staff. 8 Leather jacket. 



Canto VIII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 133 

39. Wyde was the wound, and a large lukewarme flood, 
Red as the Rose, thence gushed grievously; 

That when the Paynym spyde the streaming blood, 

Gave him great hart and hope of victory. 

On th' other side, in huge perplexity 

The Prince now stood, having his weapon broke; 

Nought could he hurt, but still at warde did ly: 

Yet with his troncheon he so rudely stroke 

Cymochles twise, that twise him forst his foot revoke. 

40. Whom when the Palmer saw in such distresse, 
Sir Guyon's sword he lightly to him raught, 

And said; 'Fayre Sonne, great God thy right hand blesse, 
To use that sword so well as he it ought ! ' 
Glad was the knight, and with fresh courage fraught, 
When as againe he armed felt his hond: 
Then like a Lyon, which hath long time saught 1 
His robbed whelpes, and at the last them fond 
Emongst the shepeheard swaynes, then wexeth wood 2 and 
yond 3 : 

41. So fierce he laid about him, and dealt blowes 
On either side, that neither mayle could hold, 
Ne shield defend the thunder of his throwes : 
Now to Pyrochles many strokes he told; 

Eft to Cymochles twise so many fold; 
Then, backe againe turning his busie hond, 
Them both atonce compeld with courage bold 
To yield wide way to his hart-thrilling brond; 
And though they both stood stiffe, yet could not both 
withstond. 

42. As salvage Bull, whom two fierce mastives bayt, 
When rancour doth with rage him once engore, 
Forgets with wary warde them to awayt, 

But with his dreadfull homes them drives afore, 
Or flings aloft, or treades downe in the flore, 
Breathing out wrath, and bellowing disdaine, 
That all the forest quakes to heare him rore: 
So rag'd Prince Arthur twixt his foemen twaine, 
That neither could his mightie puissaunce sustaine. 

1 Sought. 2 Crazed. 3 Mad- 



134 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

43. But ever at Pyrochles when he smitt, 
(Who Guyons shield cast ever him before, 
Whereon the Faery Queenes pourtract was writt,) 
His hand relented and the stroke forbore, 

And his deare hart the picture gan adore; 
Which oft the Paynim sav'd from deadly stowre 1 ; 
But him henceforth the same can save no more; 
For now arrived is his fatall howre, 
That no'te 2 avoyded be by earthly skill or powre. 

44. For when Cymochles saw the fowle reproch, 
Which them appeached 3 , prickt with guiltie shame 
And inward grief e, he fiercely gan approch, 
Resolv'd to put away that loathly blame, 

Or dye with honour and desert of fame; 

And on the haubergh 4 stroke the Prince so sore, 

That quite disparted all the linked frame, 

And pierced to the skin, but bit no more; 

Yet made him twise to reele, that never moov'd afore. 

45. Whereat renfierst 5 with wrath and sharp regret, 
He stroke so hugely with his borrowd blade, 
That it empierst the Pagans burganet 6 ; 

And, cleaving the hard Steele, did deepe invade 

Into his head, and cruell passage made 

Quite through his brayne. He, tombling downe on ground, 

Breathd out his ghost, which, to th' infernall shade 

Fast flying, there eternall torment found 

For all the sinnes wherewith his lewd life did abound. 

46. Which when his german 7 saw, the stony feare 
Ran to his hart, and all his sence dismayd, 
Ne thenceforth life ne corage did appeare; 
But as a man whom hellish feendes have frayd, 
Long tremling still he stoode: at last thus sayd; 

' Tray tour, what hast thou doen? How ever may 
Thy cursed hand so cruelly have swayd 
Against that knight! Harrow and well away 8 ! 
After so wicked deede why liv'st thou lenger day? ' 

1 Blow. 2 May not. 3 Accused. 4 Coat of mail. 

6 Reenforced. 6 Helmet. 7 Brother. 8 Alack and alas! 



Canto VIII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON 135 

47. With that all desperate, as loathing light, 
And with revenge desyring soone to dye, 
Assembling all his force and utmost might, 
With his owne swerd he fierce at him did flye, 
And strooke, and foynd, 1 and lasht outrageously, 
Withouten reason or regard. Well knew 

The Prince, with pacience and sufferaunce sly 

So hasty heat soone cooled to subdew: 

Tho, 2 when this breathlesse woxe, that batteil gan renew. 

48. As when a windy tempest bloweth hye, 

That nothing may withstand his stormy stowre, 
The clowdes, as thinges affrayd, before him flye; 
But all so soone as his outrageous powre 
Is layd, they fiercely then begin to showre; 
And, as in scorne of his spent stormy spight, 
Now all attonce their malice forth do poure: 
So did Prince Arthur beare himselfe in fight, 
And suffred rash Pyrochles waste his ydle might. 

49. At last, when as the Sarazin perceiv'd 

How that straunge sword refusd to serve his neede, 

But when he stroke most strong the dint deceiv'd, 

He flong it from him; and, devoyd of dreed, 

Upon him lightly leaping without heed 

Twixt his two mighty armes engrasped fast, 

Thinking to overthrowe and downe him tred: 

But him in strength and skill the Prince surpast, 

And through his nimble sleight did under him down caste 

50. Nought booted it the Paynim then to strive; 
For as a Bittur 3 in the Eagles clawe, 

That may not hope by flight to scape alive, 

Still waytes for death with dread and trembling aw; 

So he, now subject to the victours law, 

Did not once move, nor upward cast his eye, 

For vile disdaine and rancour, which did gnaw 

His hart in twaine with sad melancholy; 

As one that loathed life, and yet despysd to dye. 

i Lunged. 2 Then. s Small heron. 



136 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 



CANTO XII 



Guyon, by Palmers governaunce, 

Passing through perilles great, 
Doth overthrow the Bowre of blis, 
And Acrasy defeat. 



42. Thence passing forth, they shortly doe arryve 
Whereas the Bowre of Blisse was situate; 

A place pickt out by choyce of best alyve, 

That natures worke by art can imitate: 

In which whatever in this worldly state 

Is sweete and pleasing unto living sense, 

Or that may dayntest fantasy aggrate, 1 

Was poured forth with plentifull dispence, 

And made there to abound with lavish affluence. 

43. Goodly it was enclosed rownd about, 

As well their entred guestes to keep within, 

As those unruly beasts to hold without; 

Yet was the fence thereof but weake and thin: 

Nought feard theyr force that fortilage 2 to win, 

But wisedomes powre, and temperaunces might, 

By which the mightiest things eff orced bin : 

And eke the gate was wrought of substaunce light, 

Rather for pleasure then for battery or fight. 

44. Yt framed was of precious yvory, 
That seemd a worke of admirable witt; 
And therein all the famous history 

Of Jason and Medaea was ywritt; 

Her mighty charmes, her furious loving fitt 3 ; 

His goodly conquest of the golden fleece, 

His falsed fayth, and love too lightly flitt; 

The wondred Argo, which in venturous peece 4 

First through the Euxine seas bore all the flowr of Greece. 

1 Please. 2 Outwork. 3 Passion. 4 Ship. 



Canto XII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 137 

45. Ye might have seene the frothy billowes fry- 
Under the ship as thorough them she went, 
That seemd the waves were into yvory, 

Or yvory into the waves were sent; 

And otherwhere the snowy substaunce sprent 1 

With vermeil, like the boyes blood therein shed, 

A piteous spectacle did represent; 

And otherwhiles, with gold besprinkeled, 

Yt seemd thenchaunted flame which did Creusa wed. 

46. All this and more might in that goodly gate 
Be red, that ever open stood to all 

Which thither came; but in the Porch there sate 

A comely personage of stature tall, 

And semblaunce pleasing, more then naturall, 

That travellers to him seemd to entize: 

His looser garment to the ground did fall, 

And flew about his heeles in wanton wize, 

Not fitt for speedy pace, or manly exercize. < 

47. They in that place him Genius did call: 
Not that celestiall powre, to whom the care 
Of life, and generation of all 
That lives, perteines in charge particulare, 
Who wondrous things concerning our welfare, 
And straunge phantomes doth lett us ofte foresee, 
And ofte of secret ill bids us beware: 
That is our Selfe, whom though we do not see, 
Yet each doth in him selfe it well perceive to bee. 



49. With diverse flowres he daintily was deckt, 
And strowed rownd about; and by his side 
A mighty Mazer 2 bowle of wine was sett, 
As if it had to him bene sacrifide, 
Wherewith all new-come guests he gratyfide: 
So did he eke Sir Guyon passing by; 
But he his ydle curtesie defide, 
And overthrew his bowle disdainfully, 
And broke his staffe with which he charmed semblants 3 sly. 

1 Sprinkled. 2 Drinking-cup. 3 Phantoms. 



138 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book II 

50. Thus being entred, they behold arownd 

A large and spacious plaine, on every side, - 

Strowed with pleasauns 1 ; whose fay re grassy grownd 

Mantled with greene, and goodly beautifide 

With all the ornaments of Floraes pride, 

Wherewith her mother Art, as halfe in scorne 

Of niggard Nature, like a pompous bride 

Did decke her, and too lavishly adorne, 

When forth from virgin bowre she comes in th' early morne. 

51. Therewith the Heavens alwayes joviall 
Lookte on them lovely, still in stedfast state, 

, Ne suffred storme nor frost on them to fall, 
Their tender buds or leaves to violate; 
Nor scorching heat, nor cold intemperate, 
T' afflict the creatures which therein did dwell; 
But the milde ayre with season moderate 
Gently attempred, and disposd so well, 
That still it breathed forth sweet spirit and holesom smell : 

52. More sweet and holesome then the pleasaunt hill 
Of Rhodope, on which the Nimphe that bore 

A gyaunt babe herselfe for griefe did kill; 

Or the Thessalian Tempe, where of yore 

Fayre Daphne Phoebus hart with love did gore; 

Or Ida, where the Gods lov'd to repayre, 

When ever they their heavenly bowres forlore 2 ; 

Or sweet Parnasse, the haunt Of Muses fayre; 

Or Eden selfe, if ought with Eden mote compayre. 

53. Much wondred Guyon at the fayre aspect 
Of that sweet place, yet suffred no delight 
To sincke into his sence, nor mind affect, 

But passed forth and lookt still forward right, 

Brydling his will and maystering his might, 

Till that he came unto another gate; 

No gate, but like one, being goodly dight 

With bowes and braunches, which did broad dilate 

Their clasping armes in wanton wreathings intricate: 

i Delights. 2 Left. 



Canto XII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 139 

54. So fashioned a Porch with rare device 
Archt over head with an embracing vine, 
Whose bounches hanging downe seemd to entice 
All passers by to taste their lushious wine, 
And did them selves into their hands incline, 
As freely offering to be gathered; 

Some deepe empurpled as the Hyacine, 

Some as the Rubine laughing sweetely red, 

Some like faire Emeraudes, not yet well ripened. 

55. And them amongst some were of burnisht gold, 
So made by art to beautify the rest, 

Which did themselves emongst the leaves enfold, 

As lurking from the vew of covetous guest, 

That the weake boughes, with so rich load opprest 

Did bow adowne as overburdened. 

Under that Porch a comely dame did rest 

Clad in fayre weedes but fowle disordered, 

And garments loose that seemd unmeet for womanhed. 

56. In her left hand a Cup of gold she held, 
And with her right the riper fruit did reach, 
Whose sappy liquor, that with fulnesse sweld, 
Into her cup she scruzd 1 with daintie breach 2 
Of her fine fingers, without fowle empeach, 3 

That so faire winepresse made the wine more sweet : 
Thereof she usd to give to drinke to each, 
Whom passing by she happened to meet: 
It was her guise 4 all Straungers goodly so to greet. 

57. So she to Guyon offred it to tast, 
Who, taking it out of her tender hond, 
The cup to ground did violently cast, 
That all in peeces it was broken fond, 
And with the liquor stained all the lond: 
Whereat Excesse exceedingly was wroth, 
Yet no'te 5 the same amend, ne yet withstond, 
But suffered him to passe, all were she loth; 

Who, nought regarding her displeasure, forward goth. 

1 Squeezed. 2 Breaking. 3 Hindrance. 4 Custom. 5 Might not. 



140 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

58. There the most daintie Paradise on ground 
It selfe doth offer to his sober eye, 

In which all pleasures plenteously abownd, 

And none does others happinesse envye; 

The painted flowres, the trees upshooting hye, 

The dales for shade, the hilles for breathing space, 

The trembling groves, the christall running by, 

And, that which all faire workes doth most aggrace, 

The art which all that wrought appeared in no place. 

59. One would have thought, (so cunningly the rude 
And scorned partes were mingled with the fine) 
That nature had for wantonesse ensude 

Art, and that Art at nature did repine; 
So striving each th' other to undermine, 
Each did the others worke more beautify; 
So differing both in willes agreed in fine: 
So all agreed, through sweete diversity, 
This Gardin to adorne with all variety. 

60. And in the midst of all a fountaine stood, 
Of richest substance that on earth might bee, 
So pure and shiny that the silver flood 
Through every channell running one might see; 
Most goodly it with curious ymageree 

Was overwrought, and shapes of naked boyes, 

Of which some seemd with lively jollitee 

To fly about, playing their wanton toyes, 

Whylest others did them selves embay 1 in liquid joyes. 

61. And over all of purest gold was spred 
A trayle of yvie in his native hew; 
For the rich metall was so coloured, 
That wight who did not well avis'd it vew 
Would surely deeme it to bee yvie trew: 
Low his lascivious armes adown did creepe, 
That themselves dipping in the silver dew 
Their fleecy flowres they fearefully did steepe, 

Which drops of Christall seemd for wantones to weep. 



Canto XII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 141 

62. Infinit streames continually did well 

Out of this fountaine, sweet and faire to see, 

The which into an ample laver fell, 

And shortly grew to so great quantitie, 

That like a litle lake it seemd to bee; 

Whose depth exceeded not three cubits hight, 

That through the waves one might the bottom see, 

All pav'd beneath with Jaspar shining bright, 

That seemd the fountaine in that sea did sayle upright. 

Hs sH 4: H= H= > * 

70. Eftsoones they heard a most melodious sound, 
Of all that mote delight a daintie eare, 
Such as attonce might not on living ground, 
Save in this Paradise, be heard elsewhere: 
Right hard it was for wight which did it heare, 
To read what manner musicke that mote bee; 
For all that pleasing is to living eare 
Was there consorted in one harmonee; 
Birdes, voices, instruments, windes, waters, ail agree: 

71. The joyous birdes, shrouded in chearefull shade 
Their notes unto the voice attempred sweet; 
Th' Angelicall soft trembling voyces made 
To th' instruments divine respondence meet; 
The silver sounding instruments did meet 
With the base murmure of the waters fall; 
The waters fall with difference discreet, 
Now soft, now loud, unto the wind did call; 
The gentle warbling wind low answered to all. 

74. The whiles some one did chaunt this lovely lay: 
Ah! see, whoso fayre thing doest faine to see, 
In springing flowre the image of thy day. 
Ah! see the Virgin Rose, how sweetly shee 
Doth first peepe foorth with bashfull modestee, 
That fairer seemes the lesse ye see her may. 
Lo! see soone after how more bold and free 
Her bared bosome she doth broad display; 
Lo! see soone after how she fades and falls away. 



142 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book II 

75. So passeth, in the passing of a day, 

Of mortall life the leafe, the bud, the flowre; 

Ne more doth florish after first decay, 

That earst was sought to deck both bed and bowre 

Of many a lady/ and many a Paramowre. 1 

Gather therefore the Rose whilest yet is prime, 

For sonne comes age that will her pride deflowre; 

Gather the Rose of love whilest yet is time, 

Whilest loving thou mayst loved be with equall crime 2 

76. He ceast; and then gan all the quire of birdes 
Their diverse notes t 'attune unto his lay, 

As in approvaunce of his pleasing wordes. 

The constant payre heard all that he did say, 

Yet swarved 3 not, but kept their forward way 

Through many covert groves and thickets close, 

In which they creeping did at last display 

That wanton Lady with her lover lose, 

Whose sleepie head she in her lap did soft dispose. 



81. The noble Elfe and carefull Palmer drew 

So nigh them, minding nought but lustfull game, 

That suddein forth they on them rusht, and threw 

A subtile net, which only for that same 

The skilfull Palmer formally 4 did frame: 

So held them under fast; the whiles the rest 

Fled all away for feare of fowler shame, 

The faire Enchauntresse, so un wares opprest, 

Tryde all her arts and all her sleights thence out to wrest. 

82. And eke her lover strove, but all in vaine; 
For, that same net so cunningly was wound, 
That neither guile nor force might it distraine. 

They tooke them both, and both them strongly bound 

In captive bandes, which there they readie found: 

But her in chaines of adamant he tyde; 

For nothing else might keepe her safe and sound: 

But Verdant (so he hight) he soone untyde, 

And counsell sage in steed thereof to him applyde. 

1 Lover.. 2 Requital. 3 Swerved. 4 Expressly. 



Canto XII] THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY ON 143 

83. But all those pleasaunt bowres, and Pallace brave, 
Guy on broke downe with rigour pittilesse; 
Ne ought their goodly workmanship might save 
Them from the tempest of his wrathfulnesse, 
But that their blisse he turn'd to balefulnesse. 
Their groves he feld; their gardins did deface; 
Their arbers spoyle; their Cabinets suppresse; 
Their banket 1 houses burne; their buildings race; 
And, of the fayrest late, now made the fowlest place. 

1 Banquet. 



BOOK III 



CANTO II 



[Britomart, a maiden disguised as a knight, seeks Arthegall, 
her lover.] 



18. By straunge occasion she did him behold, 
And much more straungely gan to love his sight, 
As it in bookes hath written beene of old. 

In Deheubarth, that now South-wales is hight, 
What time king Ryence raign'd and dealed right, 
The great Magitien Merlin had deviz'd, 
By his deepe science and hell-dreaded might, 
A looking glasse, right wondrously aguiz'd, 1 
Whose vertues through the wyde worlde soone were 
solemniz'd. 

19. It vertue had to shew in perfect sight 
Whatever thing was in the world contaynd, 
Betwixt the lowest earth and hevens hight, 
So that it to the looker appertaynd: 
Whatever foe had wrought, or frend had faynd, 
Therein discovered was, ne ought mote pas, 

Ne ought in secret from the same remaynd; 

Forthy 2 it round and hollow shaped was, 

Like to the world itselfe, and seemd a world of glas. 

20. Who wonders not, that reades so wonderous worke? 
But who does wonder, that has red the Towre 
Wherein th' Aegyptian Phao long did lurke 

From all mens vew, that none might her discoure, 3 

1 Adorned. 2 Therefore. 3 Discover. 

144 



Canto II] THE LEGEND OF BRITOMART 145 

Yet she might all men vew out of her bowre? 

Great Ptolomsee it for his lemans sake 

Ybuilded all of glasse, by Magicke powre, 

And also it impregnable did make; 

Yet when his love was false he with a peaze 1 it brake. 

21. Such was the glassy globe that Merlin made, 
And gave unto king Ryence for his gard, 
That never foes his kingdome might invade, 
But he it knew at home before he hard 2 
Tydings thereof, and so them still debar 'd. 
It was a famous Present for a Prince, 

And worthy worke of infinite reward, 

That treasons could bewray, and foes convince: 

Happy this Realme, had it remayned ever since! 

22. One day it fortuned fayre Britomart 
Into her fathers closet to repayre; 

For nothing he from her reserv'd apart, 

Being his onely daughter and his hayre; 

Where when she had espyde that mirrhour fayre, 

Her selfe awhile therein she vewd in vaine: 

Tho, 3 her avizing of the vertues rare 

Which thereof spoken were, she gan againe 

Her to bethinke of that mote to her selfe pertaine. 

23. But as it falleth, in the gentlest harts 
Imperious Love hath highest set his throne, 
And tyrannizeth in the bitter smarts 

Of them that to him buxome 4 are and prone: 

So thought this Mayd (as maydens use to done) 

Whom fortune for her husband would allot: 

Not that she lusted after any one, 

For she was pure from blame of sinfull blott; 

Yet wist her life at last must lincke in that same knot. 

24. Eftsoones there was presented to her eye 

A comely knight, all arm'd in complete wize, 
Through whose bright ventayle, lifted up on hye, 
His manly face, that did his foes agrize, 5 

iBlow. 2 Heard. 3 Then. * Obedient. 5 Terrify. 



146 THE FAERIE QUEENE [Book III 

And f rends to termes of gentle truce entize, 1 
Lookt foorth, as Phoebus face out of the east 
Betwixt two shady mountaynes doth arize: 
Portly his person was, and much increast 
Through his Heroicke grace and honorable gest. 2 

25. His crest was covered with a couchant Hownd, 
And all his armour seemd of antique mould, 
But wondrous massy and assured sownd, 
And round about yf retted all with gold, 

In which there written was, with cyphres old, 

Achilles armes, which Arthegall did win: 

And on his shield enveloped sevenfold 

He bore a crowned little Ermelin, 3 

That deckt the azure field with her fayre pouldred skin. 

26. The Damzell well did vew his Personage 
And liked well, ne further fastned not, 
But went her way; ne her unguilty age 
Did weene, unwares, that her unlucky lot 
Lay hidden in the bottome of the pot. 
Of hurt unwist most daunger doth redound; 
But the false Archer, which that arrow shot 
So slyly that she did not feele the wound, 
Did smyle full smoothly at her weetlesse wofull stound. 4 

27. Thenceforth the fether in her lofty crest, 
Ruffed of love, gan lowly to availe 5 ; 
And her prowd portaunce and her princely gest, 
With which she earst tryumphed, now did quaile: 
Sad, solemne, sowre, and full of fancies fraile, 
She woxe; yet wist she nether how, nor why. 
She wist not, silly Mayd, what she did aile, 
Yet wist she was not well at ease perdy; 
Yet thought it was not love, but some melancholy. 

1 Entice. 2 Achievement. 3 Ermine. 

* Astonishment, 5 Fall. 



BOOK IV 



CANTO VI 



[Arthegall meets Britomart and fights with her, not knowing 
who she is.] 



19. The wicked stroke upon her helmet chaunst, 
And with the force, whiche in it selfe it bore, 

Her ventayle 1 shard away, and thence forth glaunst 

Adowne in vaine, ne harm'd her any more. 

With that her angels face, unseene afore, 

Like to the ruddie morne appeard in sight, 

Deawed with silver drops through sweating sore, 

But somewhat redder then beseem 'd aright, 

Through toylesome heate and labour of her weary fight. 

20. And round about the same her yellow heare, 
Having through stirring loosd their wonted band, 
Like to a golden border did appeare, 

Framed in goldsmithes forge with cunning hand : 

Yet goldsmithes cunning could not understand 

To frame such subtile wire, so shinie cleare; 

For it did glister like the golden sand, 

The which Pactolus with his waters shere 2 

Throwes forth upon the rivage round about him nere. 

21. And as his hand he up againe did reare, 
Thinking to worke on her his utmost wracke, 3 
His powrelesse arme, benumbd with secret feare, 
From his revengefull purpose shronke abacke, 

1 Front of the helmet. 2 Bright. 3 Destruction. 

147 



148 THE FAERIE QUEEN E [Book IV 

And cruell sword out of his fingers slacke 
Fell downe to ground; as if the Steele had sence, 
And felt some ruth or sence his hand did lacke, 
Or both of them did thinke obedience 
To doe to so divine a beauties excellence. 

22. And he himselfe, long gazing thereupon, 
At last fell humbly downe upon his knee, 
And of his wonder made religion, 
Weening some heavenly goddesse he did see, 
Or else unweeting what it else might bee; 
And pardon her besought his errour frayle, 
That had done outrage in so high degree: 
Whilest trembling horrour did his sense assayle, 
And made ech member quake, and manly hart to quayle, 



26. When Britomart with sharpe avizefull 1 eye 
Beheld the lovely face of Artegall 
Tempred with sternesse and stout majestie, 
She gan eftsoones it to her mind to call 
To be the same which in her fathers hall 
Long since in that enchaunted glasse she saw; 
Therewith her wrathfull courage gan appall, 2 
And haughtie spirits meekely to adaw, 3 
That her enhaunced hand she downe can soft withdraw. 

[The knights cease fighting, and are reconciled.] 

39. Therewith he rested, and well pleased was: 
So, peace being confirm'd amongst them all, 
They tooke their steeds, and forward thence did pas 
Unto some resting place, which mote befall, 
All being guided by Sir Artegall : 
Where goodly solace was unto them made, 
And dayly feasting both in bowre and hall, 
Untill that they their wounds well healed had, 
And wearie limmes recur'd after late usage bad. 



Canto VI] THE LEGEND OF BRITOMART 149 

40. In all which time Sir Artegall made way 
Unto the love of noble Britomart, 

And with meeke service and much suit did lay 

Continuall siege unto her gentle hart; 

Which, being whylome launcht 1 with lovely dart, 

More eath 2 was new impression to receive; 

How ever she her paynd with womanish art 

To hide her wound, that none might it perceive: 

Vaine is the art that seekes it selfe for to deceive. 

41. So well he woo'd her, and so well he wrought her, 
With faire entreatie and sweet blandishment. 
That at the length unto a bay he brought her, 
So as she to his speeches was content 

To lend an eare, and softly to relent. 

At last, through many vowes which forth he pour'd, 

And many othes, she yeelded her consent 

To be his love, and take him for her Lord, 

Till they with mariage meet might finish that accord. 

i Pierced. 2 Easy. 



NOTES 

BOOK I 
Canto I 

[The numbers in bold-faced type refer to the stanzas.] 

After the introduction of Una and the knight, we have 
the adventure in the Wandering Wood, and Archimago 's first 
treachery — the real beginning of the story. The adventure 
in the Wandering Wood represents a normal accident of life: 
the knight loses his path through a natural mistake, without 
fault of his own or positive temptation, except as the condi- 
tions of human life are temptations. When he recognizes 
Error, he conquers it and regains his path. The episode fur- 
nishes a contrast and an introduction to the story of Archimago, 
the spirit of aggressive evil, positive temptation in the world. 
The incidents have their sequence in the knight's states of 
mind; at the moment of his victory, when he is most off his ' 
guard, Archimago deceives him. The fine picture of the house 
of Morpheus is, of course, drawn for its own sake, rather than 
as a link in the story. 

i. A gentle knight : St. George, in whom Spenser idealizes 
his friend, the Earl of Leicester. For his armor and the origin 
of his quest, see the letter to Sir Walter Raleigh (page 169). 
Many' a bloody field : The apostrophe denotes elision. 

2. But of his cheere: He bears no scars of external warfare; 
his real life is in thoughts and ideals, which leave their mark 
in the expression of his face. 

3. Gloriana : Queen Elizabeth. A Dragon : Satan. 

4. A lovely Ladie : Una, impersonating Truth — singleness 
of heart, in contrast to the duplicity and complexity of false- 
hood. The veil she wears helps to realize the sacrednes's of 
Truth, and the poet avoids the necessity of describing her face. 
Her beauty is always expressed indirectly, in its effect on others. 
The ass represents Humility; the lamb, Innocence. The attend- 
ant dwarf represents common sense. 

8, 9. Read aloud this catalogue of the trees, and notice the 
sweetness of the lines — a good example of Spenser's wonder- 
ful music. He is trying to render in sound the charm of the 
Wandering Wood, as it appealed to Una and the knight. Notice 
also the felicity of the concisely phrased epithets; they seem 
inevitable, like the language of proverbs. Spenser here imi- 
tates Chaucer, Parlement of Foules, 176-182. 

11. A hollowe cave : Spenser's landscape, of course, con- 
tributes to the allegory. Sin of any kind hides from the open 
light. Cf. Error's cave with the cave of Despair, Canto ix. 
151 



152 NOTES [Book I 

12. And perill without show : Una is always more wary than 
the knight against hidden danger. Spenser means the finer ' 
instinct to belong to her as a woman, as well as to the nature 
of Truth. Virtue gives her selfe light : imitated by Milton, — 

Virtue could see to do what virtue would 

By her own radiant light, though sun and moon 

Were in the flat sea sunk. — Comus, 372. 

13. 'Fly, fly V quoth then the fearefull Dwarf e : the warning 
of common sense. 

19. Besides the inspiration of Truth, Spenser here indicates 
the chivalric inspiration of womanhood. Una later not only 
encourages but even rescues the knight. 

20-27. Error here represents chiefly religious and political j 
rebellion. The brutal realism of the passage, so out of har- 
mony with Spenser's usual refinement of mood, is a mediaeval 
survival. 

29. An aged Sire : Archimago, Hypocrisy; Spenser probably j 
means Philip II of Spain. Note the contrast of this quiet pas- 
sage with the preceding episode. 

32. 'Far hence' (quoth he) : Archimago makes up the story I 
of the 'straunge man'; when the knight is eager to follow that 
quest, and so may escape him, Archimago hastens to describe 
the quest as remote and difficult. 

34. Did gently play : Spenser's descripions are rarely with- 
out sound. In the Wandering Wood the birds sing; here the 
voice of the picture is the brook. 

36. Morpheus : the god of sleep. 

37. Plutoes griesly dame : Proserpina. Great Gorgon : De- ] 
mogorgon, an evil spirit invoked by mediaeval conjurers. Cocy- 
tus, Styx : the rivers of lamentation and of hate, in the lower 
world. 

39. Tethys : the wife of Oceanus. Cynthia : Diana, the ] 
moon. 

40. Whose double gates : Cf. Virgil, JEneid, vi, 893. Through 
the ivory gate came the false dreams; through the silver gate, 
the true. 

41. A trickling streame : Notice, as in st. 34, how the element 
of sound in the picture is supplied by the brook, the rain, the 
bees; the verse itself gives the effect of drowsiness. Cf. Chaucer: 

This messager took leve and wente 
Upon his wey, and never ne stente 
Til he com to the derke valeye 
That stant bytwene roches tweye, 
Ther never yet grew corn ne gras, 
Ne tree, ne nothing that ought was, 
Beste, ne man, ne nothing elles, 
Save ther were a fewe welles 
Came renning fro the cliffes adoun, 



Canto II] NOTES 153 

That made a deedly sleping soun, 

And ronnen doun right by a cave 

That was under a rokke y-grave 

Amid the valey, wonder depe. 

Ther thise goddes laye and slepe, 

Morpheus. — Book of the Duchesse, 153-167. 

43. Hecate : the name of Proserpina as Queen of Hades. 

44. By the Yvorie dore : because the dream was false. See 
note, st. 40. 

Canto II 

When the Red Cross knight, deceived by Archimago, deserts 
Una (Truth), he has no longer a quest, and falls into the hands 
of the enemies of Holiness. From that moment Una seeks 
her champion, to discover the cause of his defection and to 
recall him to his quest. Canto ii contains two episodes. The 
overthrow of Sansfoy is the knight's first victory in human 
warfare; the ease of it shows for the last time the might of his 
arms before he comes into Duessa 's power. The episode of 
Fradubio is a warning to him, from the experience of another; 
if he had not become blind, from the loss of Truth, he would 
have seen that his adventure with Duessa so far was practically 
the same as Fradubio 's. 

6. Hesperus : the evening star, here standing for the night. 

7. Tithones : Tithonus, the human lover of Aurora. The 
gods gave him immortality, but not immortal youth. Titan : 
the sun. 

10. Proteus : a sea-god, who could assume any shape. 

12. Will was his guide : the object of Archimago 's devices 
and the cause of the knight's defeat: he follows wilful passion, 
not Truth. Sarazin : a Saracen, a pagan. 

13. A goodly Lady : Duessa (false faith), disguised as Fidessa 
(true faith), the feminine counterpart of Archimago, and morally 
the opposite of Gloriana (Elizabeth); she is meant to indicate 
Mary Queen of Scots. To understand Spenser's view of life, 
you must remember that the Saracen is deceived by her, as the 
Red Cross knight afterwards is. 

22. An Emperour : the Pope. 

30. He pluckt a bough : the bleeding bough is an old incident 
in poetry: see note, Canto vi, 15. Spenser probably got it 
from Tasso, Ger. Lib., xiii, 41, but young students may be 
more familiar with it in Virgil's account of Polydorus, JEneid 
iii, 26. 

32. Limbo lake : the abode of lost souls. 

33. Fradubio : Brother Doubtful; he hesitated between 
Fraelissa and Duessa. Boreas: the north wind. 

37. Fraelissa : Frailty. 

38. A dull blast : scandal. 



154 NOTES [Book I 

Canto III 

Canto iii takes up _ the_ adventures of Una. The beautiful 
story of the faithful lion is meant to offset the knight's hasty- 
desertion of his lady; the true instinct of the animal world is 
proverbially more discerning of character than human reason. 
Truth is safe with Nature throughout the book, and Una is to 
be rescued from Sansloy by another savage race. When Sans- 
loy kills Archimago, the tempter's career would seem to be 
over, but we shall meet Archimago again; evil is constant in 
the world, and cannot be crushed once for all. 

i. Lately through her brightnes blynd : Spenser may refer 
to his reception by the Queen, or possibly to his former love 
for Rosalind. 

4. And layd her stole aside : Una's face for the first time is 
unveiled when the lion sees her; he is mastered by the full charm 
of Truth. 

7. But he, my Lyon : the knight. 

9. The lion is the emblem of princely honor. His protec- 
tion of Una expresses the human rather than the allegorical 
side of her character. The lamb, on the other hand, belonged 
to the allegory. 

30. Una, like the knight, falls a victim to hypocrisy. From 
here on Spenser makes her seem more a human character than 
the embodiment of Truth. 

31. As when the beaten marinere : Notice how frequently 
Spenser draws his images from seafaring. Tethys : wife of 
Oceanus. Orion : a hunter loved by Diana and accidentally 
killed by her arrows. His hound is Sirius, the dog-star. Nereus : 
the god of the sea in its calmer aspects; father-in-law of Nep- 
tune. 

32. Neptune : the supreme god of the sea.-" 

35. Sansloy is evil, but not untrue; therefore he is stronger 
than false Archimago. 

36. Lethe lake : the river of forge bfulness, over which pass 
the souls of the dead. Furies : spirits of vengeance. 

40. Her selfe so mockt to see : Una is never again deceived 
by hypocrisy. Henceforth she detects her enemies at once. 

42. In the death of the lion Spenser reveals something of 
Virgil's sense of the pathos of the animal world. The pathos 
is in the allegory also; Truth is ultimately victorious, at the 
price of faithful lives. 

Canto VI 

This canto is remarkable for its pictures; the appeal through- 
out is to the eye. The two romantic pastorals, Una's adven- 
ture among the satyrs and the story of Satyrane, blend in tone, 
but, like the episodes in most of the cantos, they are meant to 
present a contrast. As in the story of the lion, the theme here 
is the safety of virtue and the practice of courtesy in the natural 



NOTES 155 

world. But Una is safe among the wood-creatures because of 
her unusual beauty, here a quality of the soul; Satyrane's in-' 
fluence over them comes from that rare sympathy with nature, 
which men in all ages have explained as a supernatural inheri- 
tance. Fantastic as these two episodes may at first seem, 
the ability to feel their human truth is good evidence of the 
student's sensitiveness to poetry. 

6. Faunes, Satyres : woodland creatures, half man, half 
goat, resembling Pan. Sylvanus : god of the woods. 

9. All stand astonied at her beauty bright : The philosophical 
reason for the power of Una's beauty is founded on Plato's 
belief that "her (Wisdom's) loveliness would have been trans- 
porting if there had been a visible image of her." Phaedrus, 
250. 

9-13. Notice the pictures — the satyrs; their worship of 
Una; Silvanus. 

15. Bacchus : the god of wine. Cybeles franticke rites : 
Cybele or Rhea, the Earth, wife of Cronus and mother of the 
gods, worshipped, like Bacchus, with woodland orgies. Dryope : 
Lotis, a nymph escaping from Priapus, was turned into the 
flower that bears her name. Dryope, a princess, plucked the 
flower, which began to bleed, and Dryope was straightway 
turned into a tree. Pholoe : a nymph beloved by Silvanus. 

17. Cyparisse : Cyparissus. Sylvanus killed a hind be- 
longing to him, and the youth, dying of grief, was turned into 
a Cyprus. 

18. Hamadryades : nymphs of the trees. N aides : nymphs 
of the rivers, lakes, and fountains. 

19. Image of Idolatry es : the reference is to the worship of 
images in the Roman church. 

20-30. Read and compare with Satyrane's story, the family 
legend of Donatello, The Marble Faun, ch. xxvi. 

28. These womanish words : "womanish" in a good sense; 
notice how full of tenderness they are. 

30. One of the most famous pictures of Una. 

Canto VII 

The overthrow and imprisonment of the knight is the turn- 
ing-point of Book I. Prince Arthur here enters the story and 
undertakes the rescue. It should be remembered that although 
Pride captures the Red Cross knight, he is really defeated by 
the gradual enchantments of sin, of which the fountain of 
slothfulness is the last example. His overthrow by the Giant 
is, in the deeper meaning of the allegory, the beginning of his 
escape from sin; the illusion is broken, and he realizes his con- 
dition. 

5. Phoebe : Diana. The fountain of slothfulness, like the 
bleeding bough, is old in poetry: Spenser imitates it from Tasso, 
Ger. Lib., xiv, 74. 

7. Th'Elfe, therewith astowned : the knight, caught without 



156 NOTES [Book I 

his armor, for the first time appears in an ignoble situation. It 
is the omen of his complete downfall, and at this point he be- 
gins to see that he has been led astray. 

8. An hideous Geaunt : Orgoglio, Pride. 

10. Upon a snaggy Oke : In Orgoglio is shown the brutality 
of pride, indicated by his unknightly weapon. 

12. Pouldred all as thin as flowre : Spenser makes the fall 
of the erring champion not only unknightly, but also somewhat 
ridiculous. 

13. It is easy to see why gunpowder and cannon, when first 
introduced, supplied the Renaissance imagination with epic 
images. 

14. Duessa's desertion of the knight shows him how he has 
been deceived; it is the end of her power over him. 

16. A monstrous beast : See Rev. 17 : 3. 

17. That renowned snake : the Hydra, a seven-headed ser- 
pent that infested the marshes of Lerna. To kill it was the 
second of the twelve labors of Hercules (Alcides). 

29. A goodly knight : Prince Arthur, the hero of the poem. 
See what Spenser says of him in the letter to Raleigh. 

30. Hesperus : the evening star. 

31. For all the crest a Dragon : The dragon on the helmet 
was Arthur's family symbol. His father was called Uther 
Pen-dragon (head-dragon). 

32. Selinis : a mountain in Sicily. 

33. The shield, like the other magic armor of Arthur, is an 
outward sign of the power of virtue, expressing his character; 
it is the Renaissance way of showing that Heaven fights on 
Arthur's side, just as the gods sided with mortals in the iEneid 
or in Homer. 

34. Phoebus : the sun. Cynthia : the moon. 

36. Merlin : the enchanter in the Arthurian legend. 

37. Compare Chaucer's famous description of the Knight 
and the Squire, Canterbury Tales, Prol., 43-101. 

41. The speed of the dialogue in this stanza is remarkable; 
Spenser is rarely so concise. Notice the effect as a climax 
after the more languid argument of the preceding stanzas. 

43. Phison, Euphrates, Gehon : rivers of Eden. 

44. Tartary : Tartarus, the prison of the Titans, afterwards 
the abode of the wicked in Hades. 

46. Gloriane : Elizabeth. Cleopolis : London. 

68. The jorlorne reliques : The knight's armor is not captured 
by the giant, because of the demands of the allegory: it is the 
heavenly armor (see the letter to Sir Walter Raleigh), and can- 
not be used by powers of evil. 

Canto VIII 

The two episodes in this canto, the "defeat of the Giant and 
the finding of the Red Cross knight, are really one: they are 
closely united in the allegorical meaning of the poem, and 



Canto VIII] NOTES 157 

spiritually the second is more important. The battle with 
the Giant should be compared with that of the Red Cross 
knight and the dragon, in the eleventh book; in allegorical 
intention they are quite distinct, and they appeal to different 
sources of interest. Arthur, the image of the special grace of 
Heaven, is invincible: he is, as it were, the touchstone of truth, 
and the Giant, on coming in contact with him, is doomed to 
destruction. In the later battle, however, there is a true 
struggle. 

i. Heavenly grace : Arthur. Stedfast truth : Una. 

3. An home of bugle small : The Prince's bugle, with its 
wonderful properties, is lineally derived through the romantic 
epics from Roland's horn. In this passage it recalls also the 
trumpets blown before Jericho, Joshua 6 : 13-20. 

7-20. This short encounter has for its climax the unveiling 
of Arthur's shield, the magical power of which, however, is as 
much the sign of victory as the cause of it. Though Arthur 
gives way before the brute strength of the Giant, he is not 
beaten. In this respect the contest is very different from the 
Red Cross knight's battle with the dragon; the knight wins 
only through fortunate help from Heaven. Notice how suc- 
cessfully Spenser gives the impression of the Giant's enormous 
bulk; he has much of Milton's gift for rendering size. 

14. Her golden cup : See Rev. 17 : 4. 

24. Like an em-ptie blader was : This vanishing of the giant 
seems almost a contradiction of the sense of the gross material- 
ism of Pride, which Spenser gave us in the Giant's bulk, in the 
dead weight of his shorn arm, and in the ponderous fall of his 
body. This is an example of Spenser's apparently inconsistent 
;way of embodying his allegory in the story (see Introduction, 
p. xv). There is no inconsistency in the allegory; Pride is 
{grossly material, but it can be pricked like a bubble. 

27. And you : the squire. The remainder of the stanza 
Una addresses to Arthur and the squire both; in the next stanza 
she addresses Arthur alone. 

29. A solemne silence over all : Spenser has his usual sharp 
contrast to the battle episode in the unnatural quiet of the 

; castle and in the indifference of Ignaro. 

30. An old old man : Ignorance, the proper servant of 
Pride. Notice the musical effect, like a refrain, of his one 
speech, "He could not tell." 

38-44. Spenser is, of course, most interested here in the 
allegory of the soul, but the condition of the imprisoned knight 
appeals strongly on its human side. It is easy to imagine his 
humiliation when he is found in this state by Una, whom he 
had misjudged. The contrast is emphasized and the stead- 
fastness of her love reasserted in her first words to him. 

44. A good example of Spenser's moralizing. Remember 
that his experience of life made him sensitive to the vital truth 
in what may seem to us platitude. 



158 NOTES [Book I 



Canto IX 

The episode of Despayre in this canto is one of the most 
imaginative passages in the whole poem. It is the logical 
incident to follow the knight's release: the consciousness of 
weakness, so lately impressed upon him, and the difficulty of 
the quest he now resumes, naturally produce a frame of mind 
in which the counsel of suicide is not unwelcome. It is Una 
who saves him from himself; in a sense she shares the quest, 
and so becomes the most modern of Spenser's heroines, the 
true helpmeet of her lover, with no loss of womanly delicacy. 

19. A booke, wherein his Saveours testament : It should be 
remembered that to the laity the Bible was still a rare book; 
Spenser is conscious of the value of the knight's gift. 

22. About his neck an hempen rope : The unknightly array 
of the fugitive reminds the Red Cross knight of his recent dis- 
grace, and encourages the mood of despair. 

25. Eft looking back : Try to visualize the whole scene; 
much of the expression is dramatic, conveyed through action, 
as in this attitude of fear. 

28. From whom returning sad and comfortlesse : Notice how 
Despayre always takes his victims when they are in a helpless 
mood. 

31. His subtile tong like dropping honny meal'th : Only a 
supreme poet would dare to describe in such terms a speech 
that he was about to reproduce. But it is generally agreed 
that the eloquence he puts into the mouth of Despayre more 
than justifies his description of it. 

33. Low in a hollow cave : See note, Canto i, 11. The ghastly 
Owle, shrieking : The element of sound is characteristic of the 
whole picture. See note, Canto i, 34. 

38-40. Hardly anything in English poetry is more famous 
than the persuasive music of these stanzas, which reaches a 
climax in the familiar close of st. 40. Read aloud all the speeches 
of Despayre, and try to feel the lulling effect, that breaks down 
the knight's courage as much by the -music as by the argument. 
What astonishes most, next to the music, is the tone of nobility 
that Despayre assumes, notably in st. 40. His confidence in 
his cause is startling, after such a picture of him as we get in 
st. 35-37. 

43-47. The breadth of Spenser's sympathy^ and the power 
of his imagination are singularly illustrated in this argument 
against his own beliefs; of course his idea of suicide is entirely 
Una's, but he is too true to life to minimize the appeal of De- 
spayre. 
_ 49. The damned ghosts : It is surprising at first that the 
sight of spirits in torment should persuade to suicide a soul 
that expects to join them, but it is probably entirely true to 
life. 

53. In such a passage as this it is not the allegorical side of 
Una's character that is most prominent; like Shakspere's 



Canto XI] NOTES 159 

heroines, she seems altogether noble womanhood, superior to 
her lover, but for that reason humanly nearer to him. 

54. Till he should die his last : Despayre, like Archimago, 
is constant in life, never to be crushed utterly. 

Canto XI . 

The knight's three-days battle with the Dragon illustrates 
the virtue of perseverance in the Christian life. Each loss 
that the Dragon suffers is irreparable; the knight's wounds, 
however, are cured, and his strength increased, by the well of 
life and the tree of life. As in the case of Arthur's shield, this 
magical assistance represents the power of righteousness within 
the knight's soul, rather than unexpected help from without. 
Try to visualize all the images, and to realize the size of the 
Dragon; Spenser is picturing a real struggle, not a one-sided 
victory. 

4. Himselfe like a great hill : One of the best examples of 
Spenser's ability to portray sheer size. See note, Canto viii, 
7, and cf. Milton's first picture of Satan, Par. Lost, i, 192-209. 

5. Thou sacred Muse : Clio, Muse of History. His aged 
bryde : Mnemosyne, Memory. 

6. The God of warre : Mars. 

8. Notice how the Dragon's size is indicated in this stanza. 

9. So shaked he, that horror was to heare : Once more Spenser 
fills his scene with a characteristic sound. 

18. The beautiful image of the flight of the Dragon brings out 
the insignificance of the knight at the beginning of the battle. 
He greatens as the fight goes on. 

19. As hagard hauke : a wild hawk. 

21. All the images of the Dragon are large, but this stanza 
is one of the most magnificent. 

28. Death better were : The patient, sorrowful mood of the 
knight is in striking contrast with Prince Arthur's spirit in 
battle. 

29. The well of life : See Rev. 22 : 1. Una's home is in the 
land of Eden. 

30. Silo : Siloam. See St. John 9 : 7. Jordan : See 2 
Kings 5 : 14. Bath, Span : famous English and German 
watering places. Cephise : a river in Attica. Hebrus :. a 
river in Thrace. 

33. That Titan rose : the sun. Safety : three syllables. 

34. Eyas hauke : a young hawk. Notice the play upon ' 
words in the last line of the stanza — an affectation common 
to all Elizabethan literature. 

36. The last line is remarkable for massive effect. Read 
it aloud and notice the great shocks of sound. 

41. Cerberus : the three-headed watchdog of the infernal 
regions. 

46. A goodly tree : the tree of life. See Rev. 22 : 2. 

51. A beautiful picture of the dawn. The simple line at 



160 NOTES [Book II |( 

\V 
I 

the end enables Spenser to call up a true English landscape, 
in spite of his classical images. 

54. So downe he fell : Notice the remarkable repetition. 
The situation here recalls the great phrases in the Song of 
Deborah, Judges 5 : 27. 

Canto XII 

The first part of the canto gives a remarkably crowded pic- 
ture of the rejoicings over the Dragon's death. In a few stanzas I 
the whole population is portrayed, from the court to the "ras- 1 
kail many." Spenser is usually so allegorical in his method, 
that this realistic passage is all the more noteworthy. In the 1 
betrothal scene the attention, as in a painting, is focused upon I 
Una's face, which seems to illuminate the whole picture by 
its radiance — the glory of triumphant Truth. 

5-8. Contrast these pictures of peace with the battle scene 
just over. Notice also the literary quality of the triumphal 
procession, as opposed to the realistic, even humorous, study 
of character in 10 and 1 1 . Spenser, like Shakspere and Milton, 
understands the people, but at heart is an aristocrat. 

18. Of ease or rest I may not yet devize : Life being a continual 
warfare, the knight cannot rest, any more than Archimago or 
Duessa can be slain. 

22. For she had layd her mournefull stole aside : The knight 
sees the unveiled face of Truth for the first time. The "paint- 
ing" quality of the picture, characteristic of Spenser, can be 
seen by comparing it with Milton's thoroughly human, though 
idealized, pictures of Eve, Par. Lost, iv, 288-324, and ix, 
453-463. 

BOOK II 
Canto I 

The story of Mordant and Amavia introduces us to the sub- 
ject of the second book, as the meeting of Archimago intro- 
duced us to the subject of the first book. In both episodes 
the quest is announced; here we see that Guyon is to conquer 
Acrasia (Intemperance), and that the Palmer is his attendant 
virtue (Self-restraint), as Una had been of the Red Cross knight. 
But the interest of this book is in the quest, and in the charac- 
ters encountered along the way, as here in the pathetic story 
of Amavia; Guyon and the Palmer attract far less attention to 
themselves than did Una and her knight. On the other hand, 
this book excels the first in the wonderful descriptions of the 
temptations through which Guyon passes. Nowhere is the 
life of the senses set forth with such power. 

6. Well could he tourney : Guyon, unlike the Red Cross 
knight, has had much previous experience in~ warfare; Tem- 
perance implies long-practiced restraint. Sir Huon : in the 



Canto VI] NOTES 161 

old romance, Sir Huon of Bordeaux, successor to Oberon, 
King of Fairy-land. 

36. Amavia, killing herself for grief, is as much an example 
of intemperance as Mordant is. 

46. The pitiful picture has its full force only when we re- 
member how essential to chivalry was the idea of rescue. Guy on 
is helpless to cure this evil, though his mission is to conquer 
Acrasia. 

51. Acrasia : Intemperance, Guy on 's foe, as the Dragon 
was the foe of the Red Cross knight. Her dwelling, the Bower 
of Bliss on the wandering isle, and her detention of a knight 
from his true work, are derived from Tasso and Ariosto, but 
are found in some form in all the epics. Cf. Odysseus' stay with 
Calypso on the island of Ogygia; Achilles sulking in his tent 

vjor love of Briseis; the Dido episode in the iEneid. 

52. Palmers weed : a black cloak and a staff of palm wood. 
The Palmer was originally a pilgrim to the Holy Land, but 
came to be simply a religious beggar. 

55. Bacchus with the Nymphe : wine and water, every stream 
being supposed to have its nymph. 

58. The Palmer's characteristic philosophy. Much more 
than Una, he is a direct teacher. 



Canto II 

The washing of the babe's hands completes the story of the 
first canto. Guy on is fated to see many victims of intemper- 
ance whom he cannot rescue; as in this episode of Amavia, 
they have put themselves beyond his help. The picture of 
life that the book presents is therefore sadder than in the story 
of Una, and the scene is darker throughout, in spite of the 
panoramas of false beauty which the quest traverses. 

1. Tragedie : unhappy incident. In mediaeval literature 
the word has usually no dramatic sense. The little babe : The 
babe is an important actor in the tragedy, accenting the pathos 
through his helplessness and his infant unconsciousness of 
sorrow. These minor parts of the picture are often what makes 
the poet great as a true painter of life. 

7. Dan Faunus : Dan, a general form of address in mediaeval 
literature, from the Latin dominus. Faunus was a minor 
divinity of the woods. Notice how the episode of the nymph, 
at first such an apparent contrast to Amavia's story, really 
belongs with it as an illustration of the heavenly protection 
of temperance. 

Canto VI 

The incident of the Idle Lake is the first of the temptations 
of pleasure, the first of the scenes of beauty that make this 
book remarkable. Cymochles and Guy on illustrate the two 
ways of meeting the temptation of idleness, though Guy on is 



162 NOTES [Book I] 'i 

entirely sensible of the charm of Mirth. The canto appeals to r 

the eye, through its pictures, but the music of the verse is quite -r 
as important. 

i. The stanza announces the subject of the rest of the book -■ 

— temptation through "joyous pleasure." But grief e and * 
wrath : the forms of intemperance that Guyon has hitherto '*'■ 
met with. 

2. Cymochles : wrath of the sea, as Pyrochles represents j 
wrath of fire. Atin : the spirit of strife. 

3. A Lady fresh and fay re : This whole episode of Mirth is !»i 
particularly fine. Notice how vividly the manners of Cymo- t 
chles and of Guyon are portrayed, showing their characters in I 
their behavior towards Mirth. The character of Mirth isJJl" 
brought out, not only by what she does and says, but also byl 
the accompanying pictures, of the boat, the lake, the floating 
island — all remarkable for lightness and instability. Pope 1 
J one : a legendary female Pope, who lived a life of pleasure, \k 
and was deposed in disgrace. 

4. Atin by no way : Neither Atin nor the Palmer is admitted k 
to the boat; Strife and Self-restraint are no subjects for idle- 
ness. 

9. Phaedria : the glittering one. 

11. An Island waste and voyd : that is, morally; to all ap- 
pearances the island is most luxuriant. 

12-13. Note the wonderful smoothness of these stanzas, 
and in 13, the structure — tree, branch, bird song, each an 
echo from the preceding line: these causes of pleasure are 
summed up in line five, and the effect upon the tempted spirit 
is expressed by a similar linking of the last four lines. 

15-18. One of Spenser's wonderful songs, imitated from 
Tasso, Ger. Lib., xiv, 62, but the music is all his own. Notice 
how slow the song is; though the stanza is the same as in the 
narrative portions, the effect is more languid and delaying. 
Notice also how slight the intellectual content of the song is 

— merely an amplifying (and morally a perversion) of "Con- 
sider the lilies of the field." The song appeals through the 
musical quality of its language; it would be hard to find any- 
thing in this kind of poetry more splendid than st. 16. 

18. The slouthfull wave : the Idle Lake itself, sluggish and 
torpid, is not beautiful; the line gives the necessary disillusion 
after Phaedria's song. 

19. But the black Palmer : See note 4. 

21. Notice Guyon's courtesy and self-possession. 
23. Therewith she laught : note the dramatic rendering of 
her character, after her apparently serious words. 

Canto VII 

The descent into the lower world is a convention of epic 
poetry, and is represented in the Faerie Queene by this canto. 
Perhaps the subject itself is stimulating to the imagination; 



Canto VII] NOTES 163 

certainly nothing could be more spirited than these scenes. 
The canto is divided into five parts — the introduction, in 
which Guyon meets Mammon; the house of Richesse; the coin- 
ing-place of riches; the court of Ambition; the garden of Pro- 
serpine. Each division is marked by a speech of Mammon, 
tempting Guyon, and the knight's answer. 

2. So Guyon, having lost his trustie guyde : Like the Red 
Cross knight after parting from Una, he meets temptations 
that, if they do not overcome him, at least exhaust his power 
of resistance, so that he is at the mercy of Pyrochles and Cy- 
mochles. 

3. The picture of Mammon follows the conventional descrip- 
tion in mediaeval literature and in the Moralities. 

• 5. Mulciber : Vulcan. His element is fire. 

6. Mammon's attempt to hide the gold shows the miser's 
instinct, but in the rest of the canto he is much more than a 
miser; he stands for material power in general. 

10. For crownes and kingdomes : Somewhat in the spiritual 
sense, but the next two lines remind us that Spenser holds to 
the feudal idea of knighthood, in which trade is despised. 

15. Through fowle intemperaunce : The climax of the argu- 
ment. Guyon's directly didactic manner weakens this pas- 
sage, making it the least effective in the canto. 

17. Of his great Grandmother : the earth, mother of all. 

18. Leave have thou to refuse : Guyon's error is here; if the 
Palmer had been with him. he would not have risked further 
conversation with Mammon. He sins in exposing himself to 
temptation. 

20. The beginning of the adventure in the lower world. 
From here on the images are almost Dantesque in clearness 
and impressiveness. 

21. Plutoes griesly rayne : Hades. 

22= Notice the vivid pictures, especially Jealousy and Fear. 

23. Celeno : a harpy. Cf. Virgil, iEneid iii, 245. 

26. An ugly feend : This tremendous figure represents the 
moral danger that Guyon is in throughout his severe tempta- 
tion. 

28. Arachne : the spider. 

34. Culver : pigeon or dove. 

35. Into another rowme : Mammon here shows Guyon the 
very source of wealth. The deformity of the attendant fiends 
is meant to indicate the essential baseness of riches. 

40. A sturdie villein : Disdain, like the fiends (st. 35), serves 
to indicate in advance the true nature of the Ambition which 
he guards. He is the allegorical expression of ambition; the 
dramatic expression is in st. 47. 

44. A woman, gorgeous gay : Philotime, Ambition. 

45. Till she did fall : The gods thrust her from Heaven 
because she was ignoble ambition; the true love of honor would 
be one of the motives to ideal living. 

47. Notice how crowded and complete the picture is. 



164 NOTES [Book II 

51. Into a gar din : the garden of Proserpine, a frequent 
subject with poets. See Swinburne's poem by that title. 

52. Heben : ebony. Hellebore : a medicinal herb exten- 
sively used by the ancients. Coloquintida : the bitter gourd. 
Tetra : probably the Deadly Nightshade. Samnitis : perhaps 
the savin, a small tree of the pine family. Cicuta : hemlock. 

54. The eleventh labor of Hercules was to take the golden 
apples from the garden of the Hesperides, where they were 
guarded by the daughters of Hesperis and Atlas. Th'Eubcean 
young man : Hippomenes, who, racing with Atalanta, threw in 
her path, one by one, the three golden apples that Aphrodite 
had given him. She stopped to pick them up, and lost the race 

55. Acontius : He won his love, Cydippe, by the gift of an 
apple from the garden of Venus: That famous apple : See 
the familiar story of the judgment of Paris. The student 
should read (Enone, Tennyson's version of it. 

56. Cocytus : a river in Hades formed by the tears of the 
damned. 

59. Tantalus : the father of Niobe. He served his own 
son, Pelops, for food at a banquet of the gods. For this he 
was punished as Spenser describes. 

62. It is somewhat hard to see why Pilate's crime is classed 
under intemperance. Spenser probably thought that he was 
unjust through ambition. 

Canto VIII 

The beautiful incident of the guardian angel stands in grate- 
ful relief between the adventure in Mammon s cave and the 
attack of Pyrochles and Cymochles. These impersonations of 
wrath determine to spoil Guyon's body of his arms, in defiance 
of knightly precedent; they represent wrath that has become 
unrestrained desire for revenge. In the third part of the canto 
Arthur appears, and killing the two brothers, rescues Guy on. 

1-2. These stanzas are often quoted. They express the 
wonderful sweetness of Spenser's religious nature, and the 
second stanza shows where Milton got his bright celestial imagery. 

3. That wanton mayd : See note, vi, 4. 

5. Like painted J ayes : The angels' wings are colored, not 
white. For this conception of angelic beauty, the student 
should look up colored reproductions of Italian Renaissance 
masters in any good handbook of art. 

6. Idman hill : Mt. Ida, where Paris awarded the apple to 
Aphrodite. Graces three : Euphrosyne, Aglaia, and Thalia. 
The Goddesse : Aphrodite. 

8. The belief in the guardian angel takes many beautiful 
forms in the literature of this time. Cf. the good angel in the 
religious plays and in Marlowe's Faust; the "better angel" of 
Shakspere's sonnet (cxliv); Hamlet's "Angels and ministers 
of grace defend us!" 

9. His slow eyes : The Palmer is characteristically deliberate. 



Canto XII] NOTES 165 

10. Aerates : Anger, Intemperance. 

13. The Palmer is not alone the defender of Guyon; he is 
here the counselor of the wrathful knights against themselves, 
urging them to temperance. 

17. An armed knight : Arthur. 

20. Which Merlin made : The enchanted sword is one of 
the "properties" of romance. The other name of Morddure is 
Excalibur. Medaewart : meadow-plant. 

24. Arthur's courtesy is a lesson in temperance, self-restraint. 

30. The treacherous attack of Pyrochles is the climax of 
his career of intemperance. Termagaunt : a legendary idol 
of the Saracens. 

33. Mahoune : Mahomet. 

35. So both attonce : The artistic effect is to make the fight 
more uncertain, therefore more interesting, and to enlist the 
sympathy of the reader on Arthur's side. 

Canto XII 

The Bower of Bliss is another of the epic conventions (see 
note, Bk. ii, i, 51). The poet here pictures the most powerful 
temptation of the knight of Temperance. We should remem- 
ber that Spenser is a Platonist, and believes that Beauty is the 
natural quest of the soul; Guyon would therefore be easily 
deceived by this paradise of false beauty, were he not con- 
stantly cautioned by the Palmer. 

43. Those unruly beasts : The Bower of Bliss was guarded 
by wild beasts, which the Palmer tamed with his staff. 

44. Jason and Med&a : Jason sailed in the Argo, with fifty 
Grecian heroes, to capture the Golden Fleece from iEetes, 
king of Colchis. He succeeded, with the help of the king's 
daughter, Medea, whom he married. When the king pursued 
them over the sea, Medea slew her brother, Absyrtus, and 
dropped the fragments of his body in the path of her father's 
ship. iEetes stopped to pick them up, and the fugitives escaped. 
Jason afterwards fell in love with Creusa, and the jealous Medea 
sent her a magic robe, which consumed her with fire. 

46. A comely 'personage : not the true genius, Conscience, 
but the genius of intemperate pleasures. 

50. The luxurious landscape is the first expression of intem- 
perance. Flora : goddess of flowers. 

52. Rhodope : a mountain in Thrace, where Dionysus was 
worshiped. Tempe : a valley in Thessaly. Parnasse : the 
home of Apollo and the Muses. 

55. A comely dame: Drunkenness. 

70. The music of Spenser's Bower of Bliss is perhaps its 
most remarkable characteristic. In this and the following 
stanza is gathered up all the music of the landscape, to be 
uttered again in the human song. The last line of 70 gives 
the theme of 71; notice how the images are linked, so as to 
give the effect of unbroken harmony. 



166 NOTES [Book IV 

74-75. This famous theme, common to all literature, here 
has its first notable expression in English poetry. It is prac- 
tically a translation from Tasso (Ger. Lib., xvi, 14). A com- 
parison with Herrick's more often quoted "Gather ye rose- 
buds" will show Spenser's far greater tenderness and human 
sympathy; he emphasizes the passing of youth, the decay of 
beauty, rather than the hard counsel to eat, drink, and be merry. 

75. With equal crime : the most extraordinary example of 
Spens r's sacrifice of meaning for the sake of rhyme (see In- 
troduction, p. xviii). There cannot be any sense of crime in the 
song, or its message would be contradicted. The original line 
in Tasso is quite unambiguous: 

— amiamo or quando 
Esser si puote riamato amando. 
82. Verdant : the youthful one; the type of nature that is 
rescued by Guy on 's victory over Intemperance. 

BOOK III 
Canto II 

The history of Britomart and Arthegall is the great love- 
story of the Faerie Queene. Arthur is indeed in love with 
Gloriana, but his love adventures form no part of the poem. 
All the fortunes of Britomart, on the other hand, are involved 
in some way with her love for the knight of Justice. Brito- 
mart is derived through the epics, from the original legend of 
Amazons, women warriors; none of the earlier fighting maidens, 
however, with the possible exception of Camilla, in the iEneid, 
can compare with her in nobility and charm of character. 

18. Ryence : King of Wales and Ireland, an enemy of Arthur's 
in Malory's version of the legend. 

20. The Towre : Spenser is supposed to derive this incident 
from a mediaeval legend, which evidently combined the fame of 
the Pharos at Alexandria with the astronomer Ptolemy's repute 
as a magician. 

25. Achilles amies, which Arthegall did win : Arthegall 
becomes more and more the human hero of the poem, as it 
progresses, and it is evidently Spenser's intention to give him 
something of the Homeric hero's splendor. In Arthegall 
Spenser idealizes his friend, Lord Grey. 

26. The false archer : Cupid. 

BOOK IV 
Canto VI 

19. This famous passage illustrates the power of Beauty — 
a doctrine that Spenser gets from Plato. Arthegall is con- 
quered by the sight of Britomart's face. Cf. Par. Lost, ix 
453-463. 



Canto VI] NOTES 167 

20. Pactolus : Midas, an avaricious king, obtained from 
Bacchus his wish that everything he touched might be turned 
into gold. When this power became a curse, Bacchus told 
him to bathe in the Pactolus. The curse was removed, but 
the sands of the river turned into gold. 



A LETTER OF THE AUTHORS, 

expounding his whole intention in the course of this 

worke: which, for that it giveth great light to 

the reader, for the better understanding is 

hereunto annexed. 

To the Right Noble and Valorous 
SIR WALTER RALEIGH, Knight, 

LORD WARDEIN OF THE STANNERYES, 1 AND HER MAIESTIES 
LIEFETENAUNT OF THE COUNTY OF CORNEWAYLL. 

Sir, knowing how doubtfully all Allegories may be construed, 
and this booke of mine, which I have entituled the Faery Queene, 
being a continued Allegory, or darke conceit, I haue thought 
good, as well for avoyding of gealous opinions and misconstruc- 
tions, as also for your better light in reading thereof, (being so 
by you commanded,) to discover unto you the general inten- 
tion and meaning, which in the whole course thereof I have 
fashioned, without expressing of any particular purposes, or 
by 2 accidents, therein occasioned. The generall end therefore 
of all the booke is to fashion a gentleman or noble person in 
vertuous and gentle discipline: Which for that I conceived 
shoulde be most plausible and pleasing, being coloured with 
an historicall fiction, the which the most part of men delight 
to read, rather for variety of matter then for profite of the 
ensample, I chose the historye of King Arthure, as most fitte 
for the excellency of his person, being made famous by many 
mens former workes, and also furthest from the daunger of 
envy, and suspition of present time. In which I have followed 
all the antique Poets historicall; first Homere, who in the Per- 
sons of Agamemnon and Ulysses hath ensampled a good gov- 
ernour and a vertuous man, the one in his Ilias, the other in 

1 Stannaries; tin-mines. 

2 Incidental, as in " by-product." 

169 



170 A LETTER OF THE AUTHORS 

his Odysseis: then Virgil, whose like intention was to doe in 
the person of iEneas: after him Ariosto comprised them both 
in his Orlando: and lately Tasso dissevered them againe, and 
formed both parts in two persons, namely that part which they 
in Philosophy call Ethice, or vertues of a private man, coloured 
in his Rinaldo; the other named Politice in his Godfredo. By 
ensample of which excellente Poets, I labour to pourtraict x in 
Arthure, before he was king, the image of a brave knight, per- 
fected in the twelve private morall vertues, as Aristotle hath 
devised; the which is the purpose of these first twelve bookes: 
which if I finde to be well accepted, I may be perhaps encoraged 
to frame the other part of polliticke vertues in his person, after 
that hee came to be king. 

To some, I know, this Methode will seeme displeasaunt, 
which had rather have good discipline delivered plainly in way 
of precepts, or sermoned at large, as they use, then thus clowdily 
enwrapped in Allegoricall devises. But such, me seeme, 2 
should be satisfide with the use of these dayes, seeing all things 
accounted by their showes, 3 and nothing esteemed of, that is 
not delightfull and pleasing to commune sence. For this 
cause is Xenophon preferred before Plato, for that the one, in 
the exquisite depth of his judgement, formed a Commune 
welth, such as it should be; but the other in the person of Cyrus, 
and the Persians, fashioned a governement, such as might 
best be: So much more profitable and gratious is doctrine by 
ensample, then by rule. So haue I laboured to doe in the per- 
son of Arthure: whome I conceive, after his long education by 
Timon, to whom he was by Merlin delivered to be brought up, 
so soone as he was borne of the Lady Igrayne, to have seene 
in a dream or vision the Faery Queen, with whose excellent 
beauty ravished, he awaking resolved to seeke her out; and so 
being by Merlin armed, and by Timon thoroughly instructed; 
he went to seeke her forth in Faerye land. In that Faery 
Queene I meane glory in my generall intention, but in my par- 
ticular I conceive the most excellent and glorious pt on of 
our soveraine the Queene, and her kingdome in Faery land. 
And yet, in some places els, I doe otherwise shadow her. For 
considering she beareth two persons, the one of a most royall 
Queene or Empresse, the other of a most vertuous and beauti- 
full Lady, this latter part in some places I doe expresse in 
1 Portray. 2 Me-seems; it seems to me. 3 Appearance. 



A LETTER OF THE AUTHORS 171 

Belphoebe, fashioning her name according to your owne ex- 
cellent conceipt of Cynthia, (Phcebe and Cynthia being both 
names of Diana.) So in the person of Prince Arthure I sette 
forth magnificence in particular; which vertue, for that (accord- 
ing to Aristotle and the rest) it is the perfection of all the rest, 
and conteineth in it them all, therefore in the whole course 
I mention the deedes of Arthure applyable to that vertue, 
which I write of in that booke. But of the xii. other vertues, 
I make xii. other knights the patrones, for the more variety 
of the history: Of which these three bookes contayn three. 

The first of the knight of the Redcrosse, in whome I expresse 
Holynes: The seconde of Sir Guyon, in whome I sette forth 
Temperaunce: The third of Britomartis, a Lady Knight, in 
whome I picture Chastity. But, because the beginning of the 
whole worke seemeth abrupte, and as depending upon other 
antecedents, it needs that ye know the occasion of these three 
knights seuerall adventures. For the Methode of a Poet his- 
torical is not such, as of an Historiographer. For an Histori- 
ographer discourseth of affayres orderly as they were donne, 
accounting 1 as well the times as the actions; but a Poet thrusteth 
into the middest, even where it most concerneth him, and 
there recoursing to the thinges forepaste, and divining of thinges 
to come, maketh a pleasing Analysis of all. 

The oeginning therefore of my history, if it were to be told 
by an Historiographer should be the twelfth booke, which 
is the last; where I devise that the Faery Queene kept her 
Annuall feaste xii. dayes; uppon which xii. severall dayes, the 
occasions of the xii. severall adventures hapned, which, being 
undertaken by xii. severall knights, are in these xii. books 
severally handled and discoursed. The first was this. In the 
beginning of the feast, there presented him selfe a tall clownishe 
younge man, who falling before the Queene of Faries desired a 
boone (as the manner then was) which during that feast she 
might not refuse; which was that hee might have the atchieve- 
ment of any adventure, which during that feaste should hap- 
pen: that being graunted, he rested him on the floore, unfitte 
through his rusticity for a better place. Soone after entred a 
faire Ladye in mourning weed.es, riding on a white Asse, with a 
dwarfe behind her leading a warlike steed, that bore the Armes 
of a knight, and his speare in the dwarfes hand. Shee, falling 
1 Taking into consideration. 



172 A LETTER OF THE AUTHORS 

before the Queene of Faeries, complayned that her father and 
mother, an ancient King and Queene, had bene by an huge 
dragon many years shut up in a brasen Castle, who thence 
suftred them not to yssew; and therefore besought the Faery 
Queene to assygne her some one of her knights to take on him 
that exployt. Presently that clownish person, upstarting, 
desired that adventure: whereat the Queene much wondering, 
and the Lady much gainesaying, yet he earnestly importuned 
his desire. In the end the Lady told him, that unlesse that 
armour which she brought, would serve him (that is, the ar- 
mour of a Christian man specified by Saint Paul, vi. Ephes.) 
that he could not succeed in that enterprise; which being forth- 
with put upon him, with dewe furnitures thereunto, he seemed 
the goodliest man in all that company, and was well liked of 
the Lady. And eftesoones 1 taking on him knighthood, and 
mounting on that straunge Courser, he went forth with her 
on that adventure: where beginneth the first booke, viz. 

A gentle knight was pricking on the playne. &c. 

The second day ther came in a Palmer, bearing an Infant 
with bloody hands, whose Parents he complained to have bene 
slayn by an Enchaunteresse called Acrasia; and therfore 
craved of the Faery Queene, to appoint him some knight to 
performe that adventure; which being assigned to Sir Guyon, 
he presently went forth with that same Palmer: which is the 
beginning of the second booke, and the whole subject thereof. 
The third day there came in a Groome, who complained before 
the Faery Queene, that a vile Enchaunter, called Busirane, 
had in hand a most faire Lady, called Amoretta, whom he 
kept in most grievous torment, because she would not yield 
him the pleasure of her body. Whereupon Sir Scudamour, 
the lover of that Lady, presently 2 tooke on him that adventure. 
But being vnable to performe it by reason of the hard En- 
chauntments, after long sorrow, in the end met with Brito- 
martis, who succoured him, and reskewed his loue. 

But by occasion hereof many other adventures are inter- 
medled; but rather as Accidents then intendments: 2 As the 
love of Britomart, the overthrow of Marinell, the misery of 
Florimell, the vertuousnes of Belphcebe, the lasciviousnes of 
Hellenora, and many the like. 

1 Soon afterwards. 2 Immediately. 3 Intentions. 



A LETTER OF THE AUTHORS 173 

Thus much, Sir, I have briefly overronne to direct your 
understanding to the wel-head of the History; that from 
thence gathering the whole intention of the conceit, ye may 
as in a handfull gripe al the discourse, which otherwise may 
happily 1 seeme tedious and confused. So, humbly craving 
the continuance of your honorable favour towards me, and 
th' eternall establishment of your happines, I humbly take 

23. Ianuary 1589, 
Yours most humbly affectionate, 

Ed. Spenser. 

i Haply, by chance. 



GLOSSARY 



Abye, pay for. 
Accloyes, obstructs. 
Acquit, released. 
Adaw, subdue. 
Aggrate, please. 
Aghast, terrified. 
Agrize, terrify. 
Aguize, dress, adorn. 
Albe, although. 
All, although. 
Als, so. 

Amate, check, daunt. 
Amenaunce, mien. 
Appall, weaken. 
Appeached, accused. 
Arayd, adorned. 
Aread, tell. 
Armory, arms. 
Arrett, impute. 
Assaid, tried. 
Assay, trial, affliction. 
Assynd, pointed out. 
Attonce, at once. 
Avale, availe, sink. 
Avise, perceive. 
Avizefull, watchful. 
Aware, wary. 
Ay, ever. 

Baite, feed. 
Bale, evil, woe. 
Baleful, woeful. 
Banket, banquet. 
Baser, lower. 
Bauldrick, belt. 
Bayes, bathes. 
Been, beene, are. 
Beguyld, turned aside. 
Beheast, command. 
Behight, ordained. 
Behott, promised. 
Belamoure, lover. 



Beseene, comely. 

Bestedd, beset. 

Beteeme, grant. 

Bewray, betray. 

Bits, food. 

Bittur, small heron. 

Blame, hurt. 

Blaze, proclaim. 

Blend, blind. 

Blest, brandished. 

Blubbred, swollen from weep- 
ing. 

Booteth, it profits. 

Bootlesse, unavailing. 

Bord, accost. 

Bosses, knobs at the end of a 
bridle-bit. 

Boughtes, loops, 

Bourne, boundary. 

Bowrs, muscles. 

Boystrous, big. 

Brast, burst. 

Braught, brought. 

Bray, cry out. 

Breach, breaking, quarrel. 

Brond, brand. 

Buffe, blow. 

Burganet, helmet. 

Buxome, yielding, obedient. 

Byding, waiting. 

Bylive, quickly. 

Canon, curved round bit. 
Card, chart. 
Carke, care. 
Carle, churl. 
Carver, fit for carving. 
Cast, determined. 
Certes, truly, certainly. 
Chauffed, chafed, angry. 
Chear, expression of the face. 
Closely, secretly. 
175 



176 



GLOSSARY 



Compell, drive. 
Constraine, compel. 
Constraint, distress. 
Cott, small boat. 
Courd, covered. 
Couth, could. 
Crime, requital. 
Crudled, curdled. 

Damnifyde, hurt. 

Darrayne, draw up in line of 
battle. 

Dayes-man, umpire. 

Deadly, death-giving. 

Dearnly, sadly. 

Deaw, dew. 

Debate, contend. 

Defeasaunce, defeat. 

Delve, recess. 

Dempt, judged. 

Der-doing, dare-doing, bold. 

Deryved, diverted. 

Despight, aversion. 

Dight, arrange, put on, pre- 
pare. 

Discoure, discover. 

Disdaine, that which is des- 
picable. 

Dispiteous, pitiless. 

Displaide, spread out. 

Disseized, dispossessed. 

Distent, distended. 

Distraine, torment. 

Dites, prepares, raises. 

Ditt, ditty. 

Diverse, capable of various 
forms. 

Doe, doen, do, make, compel. 

Drad, dreaded. 

Drent, drowned. 

Drere, grief. 

Dreriment, sorrow. 

Drift, aim, purpose. 

Drousy-hed, drowsiness. 

Earne, yearn. 
Eath, easy. 
Edifyde, built. 
Effraide, frightened. 
Eke, also. 
Elfe, fairy. 



Embard, confined. 
Embay, bathe. 
Embosse, stick. 
Embost, worn out. 
Emboyled, heated. 
Empassioned, made passionate. 
Empeach, hinder, hindrance ! 
Enchace, portray. 
Enfouldred, mixed with light- 
ning. 
Engorged, congested. 
Enhaunst, raised. 
Enterprise, energy. 
Entirely, earnestly. 
Entize, entice. 
Entraile, entanglement. 
Ermelin, ermine. 
Expire, breathe out. 

Fell, fierce. 

Fell, took up, entered upon. 

Felnesse, fierceness. 

Fen, marsh. 

Fervent, hot. 

Fitt, stroke, passion. 

Flitt, fleet. 

Flitting, unsubstantial. 

Foltring, faltering. 

Fond, found, foolish. 

Fone, foes. 

Fordonne, destroyed. 

Foreby, beside. 

Foretaught, taught the con 

trary of. 
Forlore, forlorn, left. 
Formally, expressly. 
Forthy, therefore. 
Forrayed, ravaged. 
Fortilage, outwork. 
Forwasted, laid waste. 
Foynd, lunged. 
Fraught, freighted. 
Fray, frighten. 
Fro, from. 

Geare, jeer. 
Gent, gentle. 
Gest, achievement. 
German, brother. 
Ghost, spirit. 
Giusts, jousts, 



GLOSSARY 



177 



rlee, pleasure, 
jobbets, mouthfuls. 
aorge, throat. 
Graile, gravel. 
Grate, irritate, trouble. 
Griesy, sluggish. 
Gryde, pierce. 
Gryped, grasped. 
Guerdon, reward. 
Guize, habit. 
Gyeld, guild hall. 

Hacqueton, leather jacket. 
Hanging, suspended. 
Hard, heard. 
Hardiment, hardihood. 
Harrow and well away, alack 

and alas! 
Haubergh, coat of mail. 
Haught, high, haughty. 
Heasts, commands. 
Heben, ebony. 
Hefte, heaved. 
Hent, took. 
Hight, named, am called, is 

called. 
Hond, hand. 
Horrid, rough. 
Hot, was called. 
Hove, rise. 
Hurtlesse, harmless. 
Hurtling, rushing headlong. 

Importable, unbearable. 
Importune, importunate, un- 
seasonable. 
In, lodging. 

Incontinent, without delay. 
Ingowes, ingots. 
Invent, find out. 

Jolly, brave. 
Journall, daily. 

Keepe, heed. 
Keeping, guard. 
Kend, known. 
Kest, cast. 

Lad, led. 

Launched, lanced, pierced. 



Learne, teach. 

Leman, lover. 

Let, hinder, hindrance. 

Liefe, love, darling. 

Lin, cease. 

List, it pleased. 

Loft, sky. 

Lompish, stupid. 

Lore, instruction, learning. 

Loth, unwilling. 

Louting, bowing. 

Lowre, threaten. 

Lust, please. 

Maidenhed, maidenhood. 

Make, mate. 

Mall, club. 

Mayne, force. 

Maynly, strongly. 

Mazer, drinking cup. 

Meed, recompense. 

Mell, mingle. 

Mew, confinement. 

Mind, call to mind. 

Mister, kind of. 

Mo, more. 

Moniment, stamp. 

Mote, may, must, might. 

Mought, might. 

Nathelesse, not the less. 
Nathemore, not the more. 
Nicer, too fastidious. 
N'ill, will not. 
Note, know not. 
N'ote, might not. 
N'ould, would not. 
Noyous, annoying. 

Only, mere. 

Or, either. 

Origane, wild marjoram. 

Ought, at all. 

Overcraw, triumph over. 

Owches, brooches. 

Paire, impair. 
Pall, mantle. 
Paramoure, lover. 
Parbreake, vomit. 
Pardale, panther. 



178 



GLOSSARY 



Passe, surpass. 

Passionate, express passion- 
ately. 
Peaze, blow. 
Peece, ship. 
Pennes, feathers. 
Pight, fixed, pitched. 
Pin, peg or bar. 
Pleasauns, delights. 
Plesh, pool. 
Portance, carriage. 
Poynant, keen. 
Poyse, weight. 
Praunce, strut. 
Preace, press, crowd. 
Prest, prepared. 
Priefe, proof, test. 
Prowest, bravest. 
Pryme, Springtime. 
Purfled, embroidered. 
Purveyaunce, supply. 

Quayd, quailed. 

Quited, answered, requited. 

Quyteth, answers. 

Quitt, liberated. 

Raine, rein. 

Ramping, springing. 

Rancor, malice. 

Rare, extraordinary. 

Raskall, common. 

Raught, reached. 

Ravin, plunder. 

Ray, soil. 

Rayle, flow. 

Read, advise, consider. 

Reave, take away, bereave of. 

Rebutte, recoil. 

Re$, known. 

Redounding, overflowing. 

Reed, imagine. 

Reedes, considers. 

Relived, revived. 

Renfierst, reenforced. 

Repriefe, reproof. 

Reprive, set free. 

Requere, ask back, require. 

Revok't, called back. 

Riddes, despatches. 

Rife, exceedingly. 



Rive, split. 
Rode, roadstead. 

Sad, grave. 
Salvage, savage. 
Sansfoy, Faithless. 
Sansjoy, Joyless. 
Sansloy, Lawless. 
Saught, sought. 
Scored, engraved. 
Scowre, hurry. 
Scruzed, squeezed 
Seare, burning. 
Seased, seized. 
Seely, innocent. 
Selfe-wild, self-willed. 
Sell, saddle. 
Semblants, phantoms. 
Semblaunt, appearance. 
Sent, scent. 

Sharphead, sharp-headed. 
Shendst, shamest. 
Shere, bright. 
Sheres, cleaves. 
Shrightes, shrieks. 
Shrowd, take shelter. 
Silly, innocent. 
Sinke, deposit, 
Sith, since. 
Sits, befits. 
Skill, understanding. 
Slights, devices. 
Slombred, sleeping. 
Slouthfull, slothful. 
Snubbes, snags. 
Sooth, truth. 
Sovenance, remembrance. 
Sownd, wield. 
Spersed, dispersed. 
Spies, glances. 
Sprent, sprinkled. 
Stadle, staff. 
Starke, stiff. 
Sted, place. 
Sterne, tail. 
Stire, move. 
Stole, cloak. 
Stomachous, angry. 
Stomacke, anger. 
Stound, stownd, stunned, 
amazement. 



GLOSSARY 



179 



Stound, moment. 

Stowre, peril, trouble, conflict. 

Stye, soar. 

Suspect, suspicion. 

Swarved, swerved. 

Swelt, swelled. 

Swinck, toil. 

Swinged, singed. 

Swowne, swoon. 

Tene, sorrow. 

Thewed, mannered. 

Tho, then. 

Thorough, through. 

Tind, lighted, kindled. 

Tort, wrong. 

Transmew, transmute. 

Treen, of trees. 

Trenchand, trenchant, cutting. 

Troncheon, staff. 

Trusse, seize. 

Tway, twain. 

Tyre, attire. 

Uncouth, unaccustomed. 
Undight, took off. 
Uneath, with difficulty, almost. 
Untill, unto. 
Untoward, uncouth. 
Unweeting, not knowing, igno- 
rant. 

Vaut, vault. 

Ventayle, front of the helmet. 

Void, useless. 

Vylde, vile. 

Wan, won. 
Ware, wary. 



Waste, be worn away. 
Wastnes, wilderness. 
Weedes, garments, herbs. 
Weening, thinking. 
Weet, know. 
Wefte, was wafted. 
Weld, wield. 
Welke, fade. 
Wend, go. 
Wexed, grew. 
Whott, hot. 
Whyleare, a while ago. 
Whylome, formerly. 
Wight, person. 
Will, passion. 

Wimpled, folded into plaits. 
Wise, manner. 
Wist, knew. 
Withstood, prevented. 
Wonne, dwell, dwelling. 
Wont, accustomed. 
Wood, crazed. 
Wot, wote, know. 
Woxe, grew. 
Wracke, destruction. 
Wreakes, revenges. 
Wrethed, twisted. 
Wyde, remote, aside. 

Yblent, blinded. 
Ydrad, dreaded. 
Yede, go. 
Yfere, together. 
Yode, traveled. 
Yond, mad. 
Ymp, ympe, child. 
Yrkesome, weary. 
Yts, it is. 



Longmans' English Classics 

EDITED BY 

GEORGE RICE CARPENTER, A.B. 

Professor of Rhetoric and English Composition in Columbia University 



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